PGA Tour suspends rebel golfers who joined Saudi-backed LIV Golf

The PGA Tour has suspended the rebel golfers who have joined up to the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

This week, the likes of Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia are playing at the breakaway tour’s first event at the Centurion Club in St Albans.

Stars were refused permission to feature in the tournament but decided to enter without the PGA Tour’s blessing.

In response the PGA Tour have suspended the defectors and say those who have resigned will not be granted sponsor invites to future tournaments.

In a letter to PGA Tour members, CEO Jay Monahan said: ‘We have followed the Tournament Regulations from start to finish in responding to those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA TOUR by willfully violating a regulation.

‘Simultaneous to you receiving this memo, the players (listed below) are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA TOUR tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.

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‘This also applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA TOUR: the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Champions, PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

‘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.

‘The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our Regulations.’

More to follow…

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