PGA Tour bans former Ryder Cupper that was never (?!) a member of circuit

Former LIV Golf League player Bernd Wiesberger says he's been banned from participating in two events on the PGA Tour despite never holding membership on the North American Circuit. 

The Austrian golfer was reacting to comments made by Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson on the anniversary of the 6 June 2023 framework agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV's Saudi backers when he made the claim.  

That deal is yet to be consummated but the most recent reports suggests the two sides have exchanged terms. 

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were reportedly scheduled to meet representatives of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund on 7 June, according to the New York Times. 

As for Wiesberger, he began his career on the DP World Tour and won eight times between 2012 and 2021. 

He was even part of the European Ryder Cup side was humbled at Whistling Straits. 

The golfer decided to make the jump to LIV Golf in June 2022 and played on the breakaway tour as a member of Martin Kaymer's Cleeks for two years. 

His contract was not renewed after he got relegated and therefore he decided to return to go back to his roots.  

But that was only allowed after he paid all of his fines and sanctions. 

At the time, he wrote on X: "I never resigned my membership and therefore I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to play a full schedule [on the DP World Tour] once again."

Wiesberger has performed well since then, notching seven top-25 finishes from nine starts and even finished in a tie for second at last week's European Open. 

In July, the PGA Tour stages the Barracuda Championship and the ISCO Championship. Both events are co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour. 

The ISCO Championship was formerly known as the Barbasol Championship but it has now got a new sponsor. 

But Wiesberger has been barred from participation. 

He wrote on X: 

Lots of golf fans were confused, but the decision is a consequence of a PGA Tour rule that was created mid-way through 2022 that allows the circuit to ban non-members for up to one year. 

Said rule was created to dissuade players from considering switching allegiances for participating in 'unauthorized tournaments'. 

Still, one X user pointed out that Wiesberger should not be banned given the ISCO Championship and Barracuda Championship are co-sanctioned events. 

Wiesberger clarified in a post: "To my knowledge, the Scottish Open is a co-sanctioned event between the Tours. 

"Both member regulations apply. Isco and Barracuda are basically a ‚gift‘ from the pgat to dpwt and only the pgat regulations apply. No co-sanctioned Event. 

"And by this they can decide who play. Or not." 

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