UPDATED: PGA Tour Denies Players Waivers to Play First LIV Golf Event
In a bombshell development, the PGA Tour has denied players permission to play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf event next month in London, according to reports.
“As a membership organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the PGA Tour and its players,” a memo to players read, according to Golf Channel.
Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson are among players that have requested a waiver to play in the event.
The LIV Golf series moves to the U.S. in July when they play at Pumpkin Ridge in Portland, Oregon.
Greg Norman’s controversial golf tour comes to Massachusetts in September.
Norman released the following statement in response to the PGA Tour’s action:
“Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament. This is particularly disappointing in light of the Tour’s non-profit status, where its mission is purportedly ‘to promote the common interests of professional tournament golfers.’ Instead, the Tour is intent on perpetuating its illegal monopoly of what should be a free and open market. The Tour’s action is anti-golfer, anti-fan, and anti-competitive. But no matter what obstacles the PGA Tour puts in our way, we will not be stopped. We will continue to give players options that promote the great game of golf globally.”