Kevin Na's LIV Golf decision leaves PGA Tour stars puzzled

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Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel were befuddled by Kevin Na’s decision to resign from the PGA Tour in favor of playing on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour, joining the likes of Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell.

Na explained Saturday he was simply exercising his right to "choose where and when I play golf" and couldn’t do it if he was going to face discipline from the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his shot from the first fairway during the third round of the Memorial golf tournament Saturday, June 4, 2022, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

At Memorial, McIlroy and Horschel couldn’t wrap their heads around the decision.

"I really don’t understand the decision at this point," McIlroy said, via Golf Digest, adding he thought Na was possibly "protecting himself down the road" from a legal issue.

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"Look, I get it for Kevin. He’s never been … he’s qualified for the Open championship a few times and not gone over. He likes to do what he likes to do, and he’s his own person. No, I’m not surprised."

Horschel said he’s always thought if a golfer competes in the minimum 15 required tournaments he should be able to play in whatever outside event he chooses.

"Did he resign because he didn’t want to go down the legal route? If the legal route leads to something like a ban from the PGA Tour, I don’t think the tour can pull our pension … or whatever," Horschel said. 

"There must be something in there that he thought this is the best thing for him, to resign. If I were him, I would stand my ground a little bit. Any way this goes, though, I don’t think this is a great look for