PGA Tour announces big news about Saudi golf league
March 13, 2020; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA; PGA commissioner Jay Monahan speaks to media after the cancellation of the 2020 edition of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. The tournament was cancelled at the conclusion of the first round due to the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
The PGA Tour on Tuesday announced a major decision regarding the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league.
The Tour said they would deny waivers to its members who are looking to compete in the LIV Golf events.
“As a membership organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the PGA Tour and its players,” a memo to members read, according to Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard.
The PGA Tour denies releases for members to play the LIV Golf event in June outside of London. “As a membership organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the PGA Tour and its players," a memo to players read.
— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) May 10, 2022
The Saudi Arabian-funded league has been the subject of great controversy. The Saudis were looking to create a rival golf tour by throwing huge amounts of money at many of the top-ranked players in the world. Phil Mickelson drew negative attention when he admitted he was talking with the Saudis to obtain leverage against the PGA Tour.
Next month in London is when the first LIV Golf event is scheduled. PGA Tour members need to obtain waivers to compete in non-Tour events. Generally they are able to obtain such waivers, but the Tour denied waivers for the LIV event. The PGA Tour likely denied the waivers because they view the LIV series as a rival competitor.
Former World No. 1 golfer Lee Westwood is one of the golfers who was planning to compete in the first event, which begins on June 11 at Centurion Club in England. Sergio Garcia also signaled his plans to compete in the event.
The series currently has eight events planned between June-October.
