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A16 sports
Friday 10 June 2022
PGA Tour says Saudi-paid players no longer eligible for tour

million for Johnson and
Mickelson declining to dis-
pute reports he was paid
$200 million. Both are more
than Tiger Woods’ career
earnings on the PGA Tour.
Norman has said LIV would
support the players even if
it wound up in the courts.
McDowell said some play-
ers already have spoken to
lawyers.
“We haven’t been issued
releases. We feel like we
should have been issued
releases. We’ve done it for
the last 20 years, operated
all over the world,” Mc-
Dowell said. “Listen, we all
know the situation is about
something bigger. It’s com-
petition and it’s not liked.
They are having to play the
game the way they feel
they have to play it, which
is playing hard ball.”
The European tour has
not said whether it would
suspend its players. It has
an alliance with the PGA
Dustin Johnson of the United States, left, and Phil Mickelson of the United States greet each other on the first tee during the first round
of the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational at the Centurion Club in St. Albans, England, Thursday, June 9, 2022. Tour commercially, includ-
Associated Press ing the first co-sanctioned
events this year on both
By DOUG FERGUSON resigning to try to keep liti- eligible players can still “It’s troubling that the tour, sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
AP Golf Writer gation to a minimum. He compete in the U.S. Open an organization dedicated The first test for PGA Tour
Dustin Johnson and Phil thinks suspensions are a next week. The PGA Tour to creating opportunities for players figures to be the
Mickelson launched tee healthy way to go about does not run the majors. golfers to play the game, is Travelers Championship in
shots in the Saudi-funded business. PGA champion Justin the entity blocking golfers Connecticut, the week af-
golf league on Thursday, Mickelson had nothing to Thomas and four-time ma- from playing,” LIV Golf said. ter the U.S. Open. Johnson
and it wasn’t long before say except that he didn’t jor champion Rory McIlroy “This certainly is not the last was among those listed in
the PGA Tour said its play- want to talk about the PGA welcomed the decision word on this topic. The era the field.
ers who took part were no Tour in his first tournament in from the tour stop this week of free agency is beginning The LIV Golf Invitational
longer welcome, even if four months, only to confirm at the Canadian Open. as we are proud to have a was being streamed on
they already had resigned. he will play all eight of the “I think anybody that’s full field of players joining us YouTube and Facebook.
PGA Tour Commissioner LIV events, five of which will shocked clearly hasn’t in London, and beyond.” Before the opening round,
Jay Monahan held a hard be in the United States. been listening to the mes- At issue is players compet- Norman said he was thrilled
line on his pledge that play- When told that people sage that Jay and every- ing without a conflicting to see an effort 30 years in
ers could choose one tour were interested in his situa- body’s been putting out,” event release from the the making come to frui-
or the other, but not both. tion, Mickelson replied, “I’m Thomas said. “They took PGA Tour. Players typi- tion.
Those who had resigned very flattered so many peo- that risk going into it, wheth- cally receive three such He tried to start a World
from the PGA Tour — ple are interested.” er they thought it was a risk releases a year for tourna- Golf Tour in the 1990s for
Graeme McDowell said he Still to be determined is or not. I have great belief ments overseas. Monahan only the elite players and
did so 30 minutes before he whether those players are and great confidence in denied releases for the LIV had a TV contract lined up
teed off — were no longer ever welcome back. For the PGA Tour and where Golf Invitational because it until the PGA Tour quashed
eligible on any PGA Tour cir- now, Monahan made it we’re going and continu- is an eight-tournament se- the moment with support
cuit. Those who remained clear that the suspensions ing to grow to, and those ries that plans to compete from Arnold Palmer. That
members, such as Mickel- include the Presidents Cup guys just aren’t going to be directly with the PGA Tour circuit never got off the
son, were suspended. — the International team a part of it.” in the United States. ground.
“These players have made (countries outside Europe) Ten players have resigned The tour does not allow re- This one did, with the back-
their choice or their own is determined by the world from the PGA Tour, a list leases for events in North ing of riches the likes of
financial-based reasons,” ranking. Monahan said that includes Johnson and America. which golf has never seen.
Monahan said in a memo the players who resigned Sergio Garcia. Mickelson, “We have followed the Each tournament offers $25
to his membership. “But will have their names re- who has lifetime member- tournament regulations million in prize money, with
they can’t demand the moved from the PGA Tour ship with 45 PGA Tour titles, from start to finish in re- $4 million for the individu-
same PGA Tour member- standings — FedEx Cup is among those who has sponding to those players al winner. The PGA Tour’s
ship benefits, consider- and Presidents Cup — after not. who have decided to turn richest event is The Players
ations, opportunities and this week. He said the tour LIV Golf, run by Greg Nor- their backs on the PGA Tour Championship at $20 mil-
platform as you.” will make sure those who man and funded by Saudi by willfully violating a regu- lion. The Canadian Open
Ian Poulter said he would haven’t resigned will not af- Arabia’s sovereign wealth lation,” he wrote. this week, which has five
appeal the ruling. McDow- fect rankings on various lists fund, responded to the LIV Golf has paid enormous of the top-10 players in the
ell said he wanted to “keep of tour players. tour’s decision by calling it signing fees, with The Daily world, has an $8.7 million
the high moral ground” by The USGA already has said vindictive and divisive. Telegraph reporting $150 purse.q