The PGA has confirmed it will suspend all players currently playing or planning to participate in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series.
A memo from the Tour sent out on Thursday named the 17 players taking part in this weekend's inaugural LIV event at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire. It confirmed those players will no longer be eligible to take part in Tour events or the Presidents Cup.
Former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson is among the high-profile names who will not feature on the Tour for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the likes of Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood have also had their credentials revoked.
"These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons," said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in the memo. "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 LIV Golf Invitational Series is expected to host eight events this year, each offering at least $25million (£20m) in prize money, with $4m (£3m) of that going to the victor. The breakaway competition—which is financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF)—is expected to increase the number of tournaments to 14 by 2024.
Who do you think will win the inaugural LIV Golf Series contest? Let us know in the comments section.
The likes of Johnson, Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen have already resigned from the PGA Tour in order to avoid sanctions. Monahan explained the 10 players who have resigned from the Tour already will be removed from the FedEx Cup rankings after this weekend's Canadian Open in Toronto.
The PGA chief added: "These players will not be permitted to play in PGA Tournaments as a non-member via a sponsor exemption or another other eligibility category." The announcement was made soon after many of its former stars hit their opening tee shots in the maiden LIV event.
In response, LIV Golf said the PGA Tour’s decision to suspend players participating in its competitions was “vindictive and deepens the divide between the Tour and its members.” Numerous players requested special permissions to be released to play in the rebel competition but were denied.
It's believed six-time major champion Mickelson is being paid a sum of around $200m (£160m) to join the LIV Golf Series. Johnson, meanwhile, is said to be earning around $150m (£120m) before he's hit a ball in the new-look competition.
Greg Norman—who was hired as chief executive by LIV Golf Investments—said Tiger Woods turned down an offer in the "high nine digits" to follow suit. Speaking in Toronto ahead of the LIV curtain-raiser, Rory McIlroy said it was disappointing the rival Saudi league looks like it will "fracture the game."
"I think if anything, the professional game is the window shop into golf," added the Northern Irishman. "If the general public are confused about who is playing where and what tournament's on this week and, OK, he doesn't get into these events, it just becomes so confusing. I think everything needs to try to become more cohesive, and I think it was on a pretty good trajectory until this happened."
