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The PGA Tour is suspending more than a dozen members who participated in theinaugural event for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour.
In a memo, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced the suspension of 17 golfers who appeared in the rivalLIV Golf Invitational Seriesin England on Thursday.
“Simultaneous to you receiving this memo, the players are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup,” he added.
The suspended golfers will be ineligible to appear in the Presidents Cup or other tour events. In addition, the PGA Tour will also suspend any other players who participate in LIV Golf tournaments in the future.
Among those suspended are golfing legendPhil Mickelson, winner of 45 PGA Tour events. GolferDustin Johnson, a former Masters winner who resigned from the PGA Tour this week, is also suspended.
PEOPLE has reached out to Mickelson and Johnson’s representatives for comment.
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The organization said players who have previously resigned their PGA Tour membership will not be allowed to play in its events as a “non-member via a sponsor exemption” or “any other eligibility category.”
“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” Monahan said 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.”
In addition to Mickelson and Johnson, the PGA Tour also suspended:
-Series Garcia-Andy Ogletree-Talor Gooch-Louis Oosthuizen-Branden Grace-Turk Pettit-Ian Poulter-Matt Jones-Charl Schwartzel-Martin Kaymer-Hudson Swafford-Graeme McDowell-Peter Uihlein-Lee Westwood-Kevin Na
Garcia, Oosthuizen, Grace, Pettit, Schwartzel, Kaymer, McDowell, Westwood, and Na joined Johnson in resigning from the PGA Tour before starting the LIV Golf Invitational on Thursday.
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“This certainly is not the last word on this topic,” they continued. “The era of free agency is beginning as we are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London, and beyond.”
After its event this week, LIV Golf is scheduled to host moreeventsin cities including Portland, Boston, Chicago, Miami, and Bangkok, throughout 2022.
source: people.com
