PGA Tour bans LIV Golf rebels as new series launches

ST ALBANS, AFP: The US PGA Tour slapped a ban on players who are competing in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series on Thursday - just half an hour after the inaugural event teed off outside London.

The richest tournament in the sport’s history - with a purse of $ 25 million - got under way at the Centurion Club in St Albans after a trumpet fanfare and with fighter planes circling.

As LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman looked on, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Scott Vincent started their rounds on the first hole.

But the action was quickly overshadowed by a PGA Tour memo to all its members informing them that the players competing at the St. Albans Tournament without releases had been suspended.

“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” wrote Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.

“But they can’t demand the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners.” The banned players include six-time major champion Mickelson and former world number one Johnson, two of the biggest names who have signed up to the new series.

LIV Golf immediately responded, calling the PGA’s action “vindictive” and saying it “deepens the divide between the Tour and its members”.

“This certainly is not the last word on this topic,” it said. “The era of free agency is beginning as we are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London, and beyond.” The dispute could be heading for the courtroom if any of the 17 players named by Monahan, 10 of whom had resigned their PGA Tour membership, pursue a legal challenge.

Norman has said previously he is braced for a legal battle, anticipating fierce opposition from the established tours.

As well as Mickelson, LIV Golf players banned by the PGA include Talor Gooch, Matt Jones and Ian Poulter.

Others who had already resigned their PGA Tour membership but were also listed include Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen and Lee Westwood.

That group of players will be removed from the FedEx Cup points list following the end of this week’s Canadian Open and will not be able to compete on the Tour as non-members via a sponsor exemption or any other eligibility category.

Players asked for releases to compete in the LIV event in England but were rejected by the US-based Tour, in part because there was a conflict with the Canadian Open.

Monahan warned any players who took part in future LIV Golf events would face the same fate, with multiple reports that US stars Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed plan to sign up.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and two-time major champion Justin Thomas, currently playing in Toronto, supported the action taken by the PGA Tour.