Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler respond to PGA Tour denying releases for golfers in Saudi-funded event

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Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler were among the golfers to respond to the PGA Tour denying releases for players looking to compete in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series inaugural event.

The debut tournament, worth a record $25 million, is set to be held at the Centurion Club in the United Kingdom next month around the same time as the PGA Tour's RBC Canadian Open.

The PGA Tour has granted releases to players in other international events, but it won't be the case this time, as the tour informed its players of the decision Tuesday in a short memo obtained by The Associated Press.

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PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks to the media during a press conference prior to THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 08, 2022, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

"We have notified those who have applied that their request has been declined in accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament Regulations. As such, Tour members are not authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event under our regulations," the memo said. "As a membership organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the PGA Tour and its players."

While the decision by Commissioner Jay Monahan took many by surprise, Thomas, the 2017 PGA Championship winner, said it didn't come as a shock. 

"I think Jay’s made it very clear from the start of what would happen or, you know, I think a lot of people are probably like, 'I can’t believe you did this’ or, ‘Wow, you went through with it.’ But I mean this is what he said was going to happen all along,"