PGA Tour suspends all players taking part in first LIV Golf tournament

[AZProgressive]

The PGA Tour has suspended the 17 members who are competing in the inaugural LIV Golf International Series event, it announced Thursday.

Players who resigned their membership before starting the LIV Golf event being held outside London that began Thursday are also no longer eligible to compete in tour events or the Presidents Cup.

"These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons," PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wrote in a memo to the tour's membership. "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. You have made a different choice, which is to abide by the Tournament Regulations you agreed to when you accomplished the dream of earning a PGA TOUR card and -- more importantly -- to compete as part of the preeminent organization in the world of professional golf."

The memo said players who compete in LIV events are ineligible to participate on the PGA Tour or any other tours it sanctions, including the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamerica.

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/34063037/pga-tour-suspends-all-players-taking-part-first-liv-golf-tournament

[DBoon]

1. per the article:

LIV Golf is supported by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which is controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Salman has been accused of numerous human rights violations, including the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

[BComplex]

7. But doesn't the tour have the right to say who can play and who can't?

I mean, it's their tournament. Don't they get to make the rules? I mean, if they have to let anybody play, why not women?

[brush]

3. Well, I guess it's going to be war between these two tours.

What about the majors, the article doesn't mention if golfers from both tours will be allowed to play.

Also I wonder if the shotgun starts they describe on the LIV tour is workable for a large field.

[Bleacher Creature]

5. I think it only impacts the PGA Championship.

I don't think the other three are PGA sanctioned events.

[IngridsLittleAngel]

12. The PGA Tour and PGA of America are two separate entities

So the PGA Tour suspending these defectors has no impact upon the PGA Championship. All 4 majors have their own governing bodies, and it's now up to each of those four bodies to decide whether to permit the defectors to play or give them the boot as well.

[Bleacher Creature]

14. Wow, I didn't realize that - thanks!!!

[IngridsLittleAngel]

15. You're welcome

I didn't myself for many years now but discovered that 15 or so years ago. It also explains why PGA Champion winners prior to 1970 received lifetime membership to the PGA Tour (which was how we wound up having Jerry Barber playing some PGA events in his early 70's in the early 1990's,) but the ones after 1970 no longer received the lifetime membership.

[global1]

4. Do We Have The Names Of Those 17 Suspended Players?....nt

[Cartoonist]

8. I remember when baseball umpires resignjed in protest

They never got their jobs back. (I think)

[BComplex]

11. I'm glad they're standing up against the criminal Saudi crown prince.

Anything that hurts him is good enough for me!

[IngridsLittleAngel]

13. Sleep with dogs, get fleas. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes

If they want their Saudi blood money so bad, they can have it. I hope this sticks and none of these defectors are allowed to take part in PGA Tour events. Look, I get it. You're pro golfers. You play and expect to be paid. But, really? You weren't making enough? Phil the Phool at one point was making $50 million a year in prize money and endorsements. Dummy Johnson probably has made well over $100 million in his career. Too much and never enough.

Well done on selling your souls to the Saudis and their blood money. Don't let the door hit you in the ass.

Maybe there is a nice, kind, progressive PGA Tour golfer who can be my new favorite now that I'm a former fan of Phil the Phool.

[SouthernDem4ever]

16. This proves bad people can buy anyone

I wonder what's next? Will the Saudis start their own baseball and football league? Wouldn't be difficult in a country where everyone's morals are for sale.