Phil Mickelson Among 17 Players Suspended by PGA for Playing in Saudi Sponsored LIV League

Phil Mickelson Among 17 Players Suspended by PGA for Playing in Saudi Sponsored LIV League

Golf stars Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson are among the 17 players suspended by the Professional Golf Association (PGA) on Thursday for playing in the new LIV Golf league. 

The new league is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign-wealth fund.

Players who resigned their membership before starting the LIV Golf event being held outside London that began Thursday are also no longer eligible to compete in tour events or the Presidents Cup, reported ESPN. 

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"These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons," PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wrote in a memo to the tour's membership, according to ESPN. "But they can't demand the same PGA TOUR membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners. You have made a different choice, which is to abide by the Tournament Regulations you agreed to when you accomplished the dream of earning a PGA TOUR card and -- more importantly -- to compete as part of the preeminent organization in the world of professional golf."

LIV Golf, on its website, says its mission is “supercharging the professional golf landscape and creating new value for fans and players alike.”

ESPN reported that LIV released the following statement. 

"It's troubling that the Tour, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the entity blocking golfers from playing," LIV Golf said. "This certainly is not the last word on this topic. The era of free agency is beginning as we are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London, and beyond."

Among those suspended, according to ESPN, were six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, two-time major champion Dustin Johnson and longtime Ryder Cup participants Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.

Two other past major winners, 2020 U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, have also reached agreements with LIV Golf to compete in future tournaments, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. LIV Golf officials have also had ongoing discussions with other players, including Rickie Fowler and Jason Kokrak.

PHOTO: Phil Mickelson at the 2018 US Open. CC 4.0/Peetlesnumber1