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The PGA Tour has moved to punish its members who’ve signed as much as the controversial Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational collection set to debut this week.
The occasion, which has promised the greatest prize fund within the historical past of the game, has led to a number of high professionals signing up, most notably the likes of Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson – the latter of whom had beforehand expressed his hesitancy on the formation of the occasion as a result of perceived human rights abuses of the Saudi Arabian regime.
And expressing their very own opposition to the collection, the PGA launched a press release shortly after play bought underway on the Centurion Membership within the UK.
“In accordance with the PGA Tour’s match laws, the gamers competing this week with out releases are suspended or in any other case not eligible to take part in PGA Tour match play, together with the Presidents Cup,” they mentioned within the harshly-worded assertion.
“The identical destiny holds true for another gamers who take part in future Saudi Golf League occasions in violation of our laws.
“These gamers have made their selection for their very own financial-based causes.
“However they cannot demand the identical PGA Tour membership advantages, issues, alternatives and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our followers and our companions.”
The upstart collection has been seen by some at one other try on the so-called ‘sports-washing’ of the popularity of Saudi authorities, and follows related huge cash strikes into soccer, boxing and motorsport in latest occasions.
Nevertheless, in their very own assertion designed to behave as a counter-balance to the PGA’s protestations, LIV Golf took the excessive street and mentioned that the PGA’s stance will solely serve to punish gamers and limit their capacity to play wherever they see match.
“It is troubling that the Tour, an organisation devoted to creating alternatives for golfers to play the sport, is the entity blocking golfers from taking part in.
“This actually shouldn’t be the final phrase on this matter. The period of free company is starting as we’re proud to have a full subject of gamers becoming a member of us in London, and past.”
The PGA suspension will influence a number of gamers along with Johnson and Mickelson, together with the likes of Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood.
Mickelson, in the meantime, didn’t deny that he had been handed a sum of $200 million to play the collection, whereas Johnson is rumored within the press to be receiving round $150 million.
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