PGA Tour suspends members for enjoying at LIV Golf occasion

The PGA Tour has suspended all of its members who’re enjoying on this week’s Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational.

Six-time main winner Phil Mickelson is among the many greatest names to be affected.

LIV Golf issued a direct reply calling the PGA Tour “vindictive” and stated this “deepens the divide between the Tour and its members”.

The assertion added: “It is troubling that the Tour, an organisation devoted to creating alternatives for golfers to play the sport, is the entity blocking golfers from enjoying.

“This actually is just not the final phrase on this matter. The period of free company is starting as we’re proud to have a full subject of gamers becoming a member of us in London, and past.”

The PGA Tour launched its assertion half-hour after play had begun at Centurion, the place 48 gamers are competing within the first of eight deliberate LIV Golf invitational occasions.

Former world primary Greg Norman is the chief govt of LIV Golf, which has £1.6bn of funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund.

The primary seven occasions all have the identical $25m prize fund, with the winner gathering $4m, whereas a group aspect will see the highest three groups share $5m. The eighth occasion is a $50m group championship and can be performed in October at Trump Doral in Miami.

The PGA Tour had refused requests for waivers from its members eager to play within the new collection and had threatened to ban those who rebelled.

This resolution impacts 17 gamers, together with lifetime member Mickelson and his fellow American Dustin Johnson, who introduced on Tuesday that he had resigned from the Tour. Mickelson didn’t deny that he had been given $200m to play within the collection, whereas Johnson is reported to be getting $150m.

Crucially, the PGA Tour has closed a loophole that may doubtlessly have allowed gamers who’ve resigned from the tour to play occasions by way of sponsors exemptions.

Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood, have, like Johnson, already resigned and can all be affected by that ruling.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan stated, within the assertion that was issued to all members of the tour: “In accordance with the PGA Tour’s match rules, the gamers competing this week with out releases are suspended or in any other case not eligible to take part in PGA Tour match play, together with the Presidents Cup.

“The identical destiny holds true for some other gamers who take part in future Saudi Golf League occasions in violation of our rules.

“These gamers have made their selection for their very own financial-based causes.

“However they can not demand the identical PGA Tour membership advantages, issues, alternatives and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our followers and our companions.”

The gamers can be faraway from the FedEx Cup factors checklist following the tip of the Canadian Open on Sunday.

The European-based DP World Tour, when contacted by BBC Sport, declined to remark.