Sources - PGA commish draws line in the sand on LIV

COLUMBUS, Ohio — PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan met with several agents of tour players at Muirfield Village Golf Club on Wednesday, and his message to them was once again clear, according to sources. Choose the PGA Tour or the LIV Golf Series Invitational, but players won't be allowed to play on both circuits.

After LIV Golf released the names of 42 players who will compete in its first event outside London next week, the PGA Tour released a statement on Wednesday, which reiterated Monahan's warning that players would face discipline for defying the tour's position, including potential fines, suspensions and/or bans.

«As communicated to our entire membership on May 10, PGA Tour members have not been authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League's London event, under PGA Tour Tournament Regulations,» the tour's statement on Wednesday said. «Members who violate the Tournament Regulations are subject to disciplinary action.»

The PGA Tour denied conflicting-event releases to players who had requested them on May 10. The first LIV Golf event coincides with the RBC Canadian Open in Ontario next week.

The list of 42 players who were released by LIV Golf on Tuesday night includes two-time major winners Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer and five other major winners: Sergio Garcia (2017 Masters), Charl Schwartzel (2011 Masters), Graeme McDowell (2010 U.S. Open) and Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open Championship).

Rory McIlroy, speaking during a news conference ahead of the Memorial, which begins on Thursday, said there were a couple of surprises, but he wasn't particularly impressed with the strength of the LIV field.

«I certainly don't think the field is anything to jump up and down about,» McIlroy said. «Look at the field this