The PGA Tour disciplines golfers who have chosen to leave the organization to play golf for LIV

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The PGA Tour disciplines golfers who have chosen to leave the organization to play golf for LIV

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Golfers participating in LIV golf tournaments are no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour events and the Presidents Cup, Commissioner Jay Monahan told members in a memo obtained by Fox News Digital on Thursday.

The memo to members of the PGA Tour was sent as LIV Golf’s first tournament in London was teeing off. The Saudi-backed league will feature stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Kevin Na, Lee Westwood and more. Monahan thanked those who had committed to this weekend’s RBC Canadian Open and addressed his letter to “those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA TOUR by willfully violating a rule.”

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Specifically, the memo named Johnson, Mickelson, Na, Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Talor Gooch, Branden Grace, Matt Jones, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Andy Ogletree, Louis Oosthuizen, Turk Pettit, Ian Poulter, Charl Schwarzel, Hudson Swafford, and Peter highlighted Uihlein. Monahan said these players either did not receive clearances to play golf in LIV or did not apply for the clearances at all.

Players who have canceled their memberships, including Garcia, Grace, Johnson, Kaymer, McDowell, Na, Oosthuizen, Pettit, Schwarzel and Westwood, would be removed from the FedEx Cup points tally after the conclusion of the RBC Canadian Open, according to the memo. Those players who have retired may not participate in PGA Tour tournaments as a non-member via sponsorship exemption or any other eligibility category.

JUSTIN THOMAS ON PROS JUMPING TO LIV GOLF: “PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE AS THEY WANT”

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks at a press conference during practice for the Players Championship March 8, 2022 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks at a press conference during practice for the Players Championship March 8, 2022 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
(Keyur Khamar/PGA Tour via Getty Images)

“These players made their choice for their own financial reasons. But they cannot demand the same benefits, considerations, opportunities and platforms of PGA Tour membership that you do. That expectation disregards you, our fans and our partners. You made a different choice, which is to abide by the tournament rules that you agreed to in realizing your dream of earning a PGA Tour card, and more importantly, as part of the organization of excellence to compete in the world of professional golf,” the memo said.

“I’m sure our fans and partners – who are certainly fed up with all this talk of money, money and more money – will continue to be entertained and persuaded by the world-class competition you show each week where there are real consequences for every shot you take and your rightful place in history whenever you reach that elusive circle of winners.”

TIGER WOODS REFUSES A ‘HUGE’ OFFER TO PLAY GOLF AT LIV, SAYS GREG NORMAN

Dustin Johnson during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational at Centurion Club on June 9, 2022 in St Albans, England.

Dustin Johnson during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational at Centurion Club on June 9, 2022 in St Albans, England.
(Charlie Crowhurst/LIV Golf/Getty Images)

Praising those staying with the PGA Tour, Monahan said being with the organization means “lifting everyone involved”.

“I know you are with us and vice versa. Our partners are also with us. The fact that your former touring mates can’t say the same thing should be telling,” added Monahan.

LIV Golf, backed by Saudi Arabia’s financial arm, shook the golfing world when it began offering insane sums of money to PGA Tour members to compete in the opposing league.

Sergio Garcia smiles during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational on June 9, 2022 in St Albans, England.

Sergio Garcia smiles during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational on June 9, 2022 in St Albans, England.
(Aitor Alcalde/LIV Golf/Getty Images)

Some players decided to jump into the new league, and in turn faced the wrath of the PGA Tour. The discipline also applies to players who may decide to compete on the PGA Tour in the future.

LIV Golf responded to the PGA Tour’s suspension, calling it “vindictive”.

“Today’s PGA Tour announcement is vindictive and deepens the rift between the Tour and its members. It is disturbing that the Tour, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the organization preventing golfers from playing,” LIV told Golf.

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“This is certainly not the last word on the subject. The era of free decision-making begins as we pride ourselves on having a full field of playing partners in London and beyond.”

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