By Matt Smith
In an intriguing development in the opening hours of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, the PGA Tour announced shortly after tee-off at Centurion Club that it had suspended all members who are playing in this week’s Saudi-backed event.
Top names such as Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson are present at Centurion Club just outside London as they compete for the biggest prize money in golf history — $25 million.
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Shorlty after the PGA announcement, LIV Golf responded, calling the move “vindictive”.
It added: “It’s troubling that the Tour, an organisation 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.”
The move by the PGA will affect 17 players, but Johnson is not one of them as he resigned from the tour on Tuesday.
The PGA said: “In accordance with the PGA Tour’s tournament regulations, the players competing this week without releases are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.
“The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our regulations.”
Following the conclusion of this week’s PGA Tour Canadian Open, the LIV players will be removed from the FedEx Cup points list.
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