Saudi-backed golf tour lures PGA pros, but backlash lands them in the rough

The world of professional golf is embroiled in a very messy, very public divorce with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake.

Thursday in London, 17 of the world's top golfers, including Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, teed off in the first event on the new Saudi-sponsored LIV Golf tour.

Even though 10 of the 17 players had already formally resigned from the PGA tour, commissioner Jay Monahan officially banned all of them from playing in future PGA events moments after the London event began.

LIV players are still eligible to compete in golf's four major tournaments, which the PGA does not control.

"These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons," Monahan said in a statement. "But they can't demand the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. The expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners."

 LIV Golf quickly responded: "It's troubling that the tour, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the entity blocking golfers from playing."

Like many divorces, this is about money.

The eight-event LIV tour is being funded by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which is controlled by members of the Saudi royal family and has about $600 billion in assets. It is offering prize money of $25 million per tournament, dwarfing even the biggest purses on the PGA tour.

It's also paid massive appearance fees to entice top players to join this new tour. Johnson and Mickelson were reportedly paid $150 million and $200 million before ever hitting a shot.

The RBC Canadian Open, one of the oldest stops on the PGA tour with a total purse of $8.7 million, is being held this week in Toronto and is the first PGA