PGA suspends Kaymer, Mickelson and 15 other breakaway pros
PGA bans pros for participating in Saudi tour
The PGA has carried out its threat and banned all participants in the controversial multi-million dollar tournament series from Saudi Arabia. This was announced by Commissioner Jay Monahan in a letter to PGA members.
The golf professional tour has consistently implemented its threat and suspended 17 players. Contrary to the warning, the professionals had taken part in the first event of a new tournament series. This is financed by Saudi Arabia.
DThe PGA Tour has suspended 17 golf pros for participating in the Tour’s controversial new LIV Golf Invitational Series. “Your participation violates our tournament regulations,” PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan said on Thursday.
The Professional Golfers Association had been threatening for a long time. Anyone who plays there forfeits their opportunity to continue competing with the American top association. Now she also followed up with action. The measure took place immediately after the first discounts in London.
Numerous top players affected
The suspended players also include Germany’s Martin Kaymer, as well as other top players in Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter.
Blacklist: TK Chantananuwat, Justin Harding, Phil Mickelson and Chase Koepka teeed off in London
Credit: AFP/ADRIAN DENNIS
Those affected are no longer allowed to take part in PGA events or in the Ryder Cup, the traditional continental comparison between the USA and Europe. Ten of them, including Kaymer and Johnson, have already notified the PGA Tour that they have canceled their membership.
The new Golf series is criticized because of the million-euro investment from Saudi Arabia. The background is that the country, which has been criticized for human rights violations, is trying to improve its image with lucrative sporting events. Since Thursday, 48 professionals have been playing for prize money totaling 20 million US dollars at the opening event at the Centurion Club in London.
A replica from the LIV Series followed promptly. It is worrying that the PGA Tour is preventing golfers from playing. “This is certainly not the last word on the subject,” the new series’ Instagram account said. The era of free agency, the free choice of players, has begun.
“These players made their choice for their own financial reasons,” said PGA chief Monahan reproachfully towards the suspended players. A point that Martin Kaymer did not deny. “Money is a motivator for everyone. You don’t have to deny that finances also play a role at LIV Golf,” said the former world number one in an interview with the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. Last week, the 37-year-old canceled his participation in the Porsche European Open just outside of Hamburg due to a hand injury. The tournament is part of the DP World Tour.
