‘Destructive in Nature’: PGA Tour Pro Reacts to Being Denied Permission to Play Saudi-Backed LIV Series

The LIV Golf Invitational Series will take place in less than a month. Its opening event will include a star-studded line-up, with professionals from both DP World Tour and the PGA Tour supposedly taking part in the kick-off event. However, a piece of news recently broke out, making the chances of Tour professionals competing at the event look bleak.

The PGA Tour on May 10th declined all applications of professionals who asked for a release to play in the first event of the eight-event schedule. Earlier it was thought that the Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan would allow players to compete at the event at Centurion Club on June 9th. However, the recent update ended all such speculations.

The denials were given to professionals who asked for a release late on Tuesday afternoon. But will the players take the risk of competing without a green signal? Not to mention, doing so will lead to disciplinary action against them.

The decision came forward because the event in the U.K. is a part of the rival league. While a Tour spokesperson declined to comment on the same, a professional spoke to GolfWeek under the condition of anonymity and talked about the decision made by the Tour.

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He said, “I’m for sure weighing up the pros and cons of making a jump like this. What Jay decides is a hugely important part of that. Asking permission to play an international ‘tour’ event is something I’ve done with the PGA Tour since I first took my card many years ago.”

He added, “I understand the initial construct of this LIV tour was destructive in nature if the PGA Tour didn’t want part of it.”

Notably, the rival tour moves to Portland after playing the kick-off event in the U.K. But as earlier predicted, the Tour will not allow players to play the second event as it clashes with PGA Tour events in North America. May 17th is the deadline for the professionals to ask for a release to compete at the second event.

Which PGA Tour professionals have asked for a release?

Phil Mickelson is among the prominent names to ask for a release and play the first event in June. According to Telegraph, Mickelson has signed an agreement to play all the eight events on the rival tour. He has received $40 million upfront and has to either play or return the amount with some penalty.

Apart from Mickelson, Sergio Garcia has also asked for a release to play the opening $25 million tournament at the Centurion Club. Lee Westwood, Kevin Na, and Ian Poulter are the other big names to ask for the same. However, only time will tell how professionals will react to the decision of the PGA.

What do you think about Tour’s decision? Share your views in the comments section.

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