Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and others have been notified of the ban from PGA Tour
The PGA Tour waited for the players to hit their first tee shots in the controversial LIV series which started in London last Thursday to announce their suspension via an email sent to PGA Tour players by commissioner Jay Monahan. The players who had given up their membership on the PGA Tour prior to playing in the LIV Golf event that began Thursday are also no longer eligible to compete in tour events or the Presidents Cup. Among those now banned from tour events are six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, two-time major champion Dustin Johnson and longtime Ryder Cup participants Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.
“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.”
Monahan wrote that any players who take part in future LIV Golf events will face the same punishment. That statement is no doubt aimed at Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau, who recently confirmed their participation in the series, as well as Rickie Fowler, Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III and Matthew Wolff, who are expected to announce their intentions to leave the PGA Tour as well.
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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.
“I am certain our fans and partners — who are surely tired of all this talk of money, money and more money — will continue to be entertained and compelled by the world-class competition you display each and every week, where there are true consequences for every shot you take and your rightful place in history whenever you reach that elusive winner’s circle,” Monahan wrote.
“You are the PGA TOUR, and this moment is about what we stand for: the PGA TOUR membership as a whole. It’s about lifting up those who choose to not only benefit from the TOUR, but who also play an integral role in building it. I know you are with us, and vice versa. Our partners are with us, too. The fact that your former TOUR colleagues can’t say the same should be telling.”
In response, LIV released a statement saying, “”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. This certainly is not the last word on this topic. The era of free agency is beginning as we are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London, and beyond.”
Greg Norman, CEO LIV Golf Investments, a former world No. 1 golfer and two-time winner of The Open, said, “I can only speak on information given to me by our legal team, and I have an extremely talented legal team in antitrust and anti competitive laws, and we believe we’re in the right position,” Norman said. “We believe the players are independent contractors and have a right to go play wherever they want to go play.”
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Photo – Sporting Nation