LIV Golf recruit claims 'indefensible' PGA Tour rumour is true

Lee Westwood says it's true the PGA Tour threatened content creators with future suspensions if they participated in 'The Duels'.

The Duels will see some of the highest-profile creators in the YouTube space teaming up with golfers on the breakaway tour. 

Six teams will participate in a nine-hole stroke play event at Doral ahead of LIV Golf's next event in Miami over 6-8 April. 

It is a concept not far removed from the PGA Tour's Creator Classic, the most recent of which was held before the 2025 Players at TPC Sawgrass.

Tom Hobbs aka FlushingIt on X claimed the established circuit threatened the content creators with future suspensions if they agreed to participate in 'The Duels'. 

"The creators pushed back however and now the threats of sanctions have been dropped," he wrote on X. 

The claim is yet to be substantiated but European Ryder Cup legend Westwood claimed it was true.  

"Because of the backlash they took them back from everyone apart from Wes," Westwood wrote on X, referring to former PGA Tour winner Wesley Bryan.  

Bryan, who is one half of the Bryan Bros, is still in the field for The Duels and is partnering the in-form Sergio Garcia. 

"Obviously [they] have to look consistent with his punishment or they’ll be in a deep hole," added Westwood. 

GolfMagic asked the PGA Tour whether the claim was true. 

A spokesperson said: "Participation this week in Miami will not prevent creators from competing in similar events [Creator Classics] hosted by the PGA Tour in the future."

When is The Duels?

It will take place on 5 April and broadcast on Grant Horvat's YouTube page. 

Additional content will then be available on LIV's official account as well as from the other creators. 

Is there prize money?

Yes, there is a $250,000 prize purse. 

Who is playing?

• Sergio Garcia and Wesley Bryan
• Bubba Watson and Luke Kwon
• Joaquin Niemann and Rick Shiels
• Phil Mickelson and Grant Horvat
• Dustin Johnson and George Bryan
• Cameron Smith and Fat Perez