Sanctions and sportswashing – The key questions as golf’s rebel series kicks off

The first LIV Golf Invitational Series event gets under way at Centurion Club on Thursday, with six-time major winner Phil Mickelson the star attraction.

The controversial tournaments have dominated the agenda in recent months, creating a split between those happy to take the Saudi money and the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who have pledged their loyalty to the PGA Tour.

Here, the PA news agency looks at what could happen next in the divisive saga.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has consistently said that players who compete on a rival tour without receiving permission would be “subject to disciplinary action”. Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia are among those to have seemingly avoided this by resigning from the PGA Tour, but Mickelson has no intention of giving up his lifetime membership. Johnson’s resignation does, however, mean he is not eligible for the Ryder Cup, as things stand.

A monetary fine is no deterrent given the amount of money players are receiving simply to take part, not to mention the USD 25million (£19.9million) prize fund in each of the first seven events. LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has also pledged to “reimburse” players if they are fined. Banning or suspending players would seem to be the only option, although that would almost certainly lead to a legal challenge as players feel they are “independent contractors” who should be allowed to play where they want.

The USGA announced on Tuesday that it would not prevent the likes of Mickelson and Johnson from playing in next week’s US Open, saying it would not be “appropriate, nor fair to competitors,” to change the entry criteria once established. The R&A is expected to take the same approach regarding July’s Open Championship, but the USGA