EXPLAINED: What All Consequences Will PGA Tour Players Face if They Join the Saudi Golf League?

Lee Westwood and the likes of many famous PGA Tour and DP World Tour players have opted to play in the LIV Golf Invitational series. Reportedly, 80 PGA Tour players have requested a release to play in the Saudi-backed tour. But what about the ramifications?

Lee Westwood, who had asked for a release to play in the Saudi Golf League, was quoted as saying when interviewed by Sky Sports News, ”I am an independent contractor you know I work for myself that’s my job and I have to do what’s right for me.”

PGA Tour, at its discretion, can enact rules of conduct for its members, employees, and independent contractors.

Provisions made in the PGA Tour Player handbook and tournament regulations state the commissioner, the tours policy board, and the appeals committee have the authority to ban a member permanently from playing in tour co-sponsored, approved, or coordinated tournaments if the members violate its regulations.

Now, the brutal truth is that players are independent contractors, but actions by the PGA Tour can be taken against them.

What do PGA Tour and DP World tour have to say?

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said, “We are and we always will be focused on legacy, not leverage.’’

Sources state that the European tour has also issued a plea to the players to stick to the status quo. Those shifting tours will jeopardize the future of the tour and will affect the heritage events.

Darren Heitner, an author of several books on sports legislation, stated ”The PGA Tour is a non-profit organization that has the right to exclude individuals from its ranks as long as it abides by its policies, provides no preferential treatment, and does not act in a discriminatory manner.”

Also read: How Many Golfers Have Requested for a Release to Compete in the LIV Golf Invitational Series So Far?

Tiger Woods is all for the PGA Tour saying,“That’s where my legacy is.”

What is LIV Golf Investments?

It was founded in 2021 by the former World No. 1 Greg Norman. He is the CEO of the LIV Golf Investments, which is backed by The Saudi Arabian Government’s public investment fund and by a group of companies from the UK and USA.

Well, players wanting to play on the Saudi Tour are right in their interest as independent contractors. But PGA Tour has also clearly stated in their handbook the policies which the players have to abide by. And they certainly can take action against the players.

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