PGA Tour Commissioner slams Saudi-funded league as 'series of exhibitions'

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan described the Saudi-funded league that has signed up Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau as a "series of exhibition matches" that spends billions of dollars on players without getting a return on its investment.

Monahan also said players paid an exorbitant amount of money would "have to be living under a rock" to not know they would be criticized for the source of the money. LIV Golf is backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

"I would ask any player that has left, or any player that would ever consider leaving, `Have you ever had to apologize for being a member of the PGA Tour?"' Monahan said from Toronto on the CBS telecast of the RBC Canadian Open.

The LIV Golf Series has eight tournaments this year — five in the United States — with $25 million in prize money for each one, 54-hole events with no cut and 48-man fields. Charl Schwartzel won the first one Saturday and earned $4.75 million.

More than prize money, some players received enormous signing fees. The Daily Telegraph reported Johnson received $150 million, while Mickelson did not deny a report that he was paid $200 million for the startup venture. It was not clear for now many years they are committed.

In recent days, Norman announced DeChambeau and Patrick Reed have signed up and are expected to play the first U.S. event in Oregon at the end of the month. None of the top 10 players in the world has expressed interest in the new league.

Monahan said he suspended the players for violating tournament regulations. They were denied releases to compete in the London event and chose to play anyway. Players typically get three releases for overseas events, and two dozen got them for the Saudi International.

WAT