PGA Tour officially suspends golfers participating in inaugural LIV Golf event

By Homero De la Fuente and CNN Sports staff

Updated 1513 GMT (2313 HKT) June 9, 2022

Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson are among the golfers to join the LIV Golf series.

(CNN)Following the start of the inaugural LIV Golf event near London on Thursday, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced that all golfers playing in the breakaway series have been notified that they are suspended and otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournaments.

«As you know, players listed below did not receive the necessary conflicting event and media rights releases — or did not apply for releases at all — and their participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf event is in violation of our Tournament Regulations,» Monahan said in a memo. «The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our Regulations.» Players who have resigned their memberships will be removed from the FedEx Cup points list when the RBC Canadian Open scores are posted on Sunday. The 17 golfers listed, including past major winners Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, will not be permitted to play in PGA Tour tournaments as a non-member via a sponsor exemption or any other eligibility category, the memo reiterated.Read MoreMickelson, who previously held a lifetime eligibility to the PGA Tour, said on Wednesday he didn't plan on quitting the Tour as he had earned the right to participate as he has «a lifetime membership which he has earned, and worked hard for.»ReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHPhil Mickelson defends joining Saudi-funded LIV Golf 02:45What's next?As far as what happens now for the PGA Tour, Monahan added in the statement: «You probably have more