As the inaugural season kicks off for the new LIV Golf series, the PGA Tour announced that it had suspended all PGA members who are competing in the tournament. In a letter acquired by Sports Illustrated, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced that all 17 players would not receive any PGA benefits and could not play in any PGA-sanctioned events.
Big names such as Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, who recently decided to play for the LIV Golf league, have been outspoken against PGA Tour policies they deem unfair. In the past, Mickelson has criticized the PGA for being “greedy” because it retains all media rights to the PGA events, which is reportedly some $20 billion in digital assets. If players want access to clips of their tournament play, they must pay PGA for access to it.
The new Saudi-backed LIV Golf, which rewires the game to be more digestible for fans, has been gaining popularity. With 12 teams of four, a set season of 8 matches, and fewer rounds, LIV hopes to alleviate some factors that lead people to label golf as an “old-person sport.” In addition, each event has a jaw-dropping prize pool of $25 million.
Commissioner Jay Monahan explained in the letter that the players had been suspended for not acquiring releases from the PGA first. The players “did not receive the necessary conflicting event and media rights releases — or did not apply for releases at all — and their participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf event is in violation of our Tournament Regulations,” the letter reads.
Some players have already decided to forfeit their PGA memberships, and others refuse to let go. Sergio Garcia, who resigned from the PGA Tour, told interviewers Friday, “It doesn’t bother me. I’m very happy where I am, and I’m excited.”
The PGA suspensions will not affect the major golf tournaments, such as the U.S. Open next week, as these tournaments are operated by their own governing bodies. The USGA announced this week that it would not disqualify golfers who also choose to participate in alternate tournaments.
The LIV Golf league is not without its critics. Many have pointed out that the roots of the tournament, which rest within the Saudi Public Investment Fund, are problematic and used as a way of “sportswashing.” Sportswashing is “the use of sports to present a sanitized, friendlier version of a political regime or operation,” Sports Illustrated writes.
Other groups, such as the 9/11 Families United, have sent letters criticizing players for identifying themselves with a Saudi organization. However, with significant incentives for both players and fans to engage, LIV Golf continues to steal headlines and gain momentum.