NBA NBA NBA NBA Jamaica Premier League Jamaica Premier League Jamaica Premier League LaLiga LaLiga LaLiga EPL EPL EPL Champions League Champions League Champions League Windies Windies Windies Windies Windies Windies ICC Test Championship T20s ICC Test Championship The PGA Tour has suspended the 17 members who are playing in the first event of the controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series.
The news was confirmed in a memo signed by Tour commissioner Jay Monahan on Thursday.
Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia are among the players to have been suspended, though the latter two are among those who have notified the Tour of that they have resigned their membership.
Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas have supported the PGA Tour's decision to suspend all players competing in the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sent a memo to all members on Thursday confirming the news, shortly after LIV Golf's first event had launched at Centurion Club near London.
All 17 Tour members competing in the first Saudi-backed tournament of the breakaway series, including six-time major winner Phil Mickelson, were informed they are no longer eligible to play in events on the circuit.
The memo warned that any player featuring in future LIV events will face a similar punishment.
McIlroy said on Wednesday he understands why some have made the switch due to the huge sums of money on offer, but the Northern Irishman is pleased with the decision to block players from competing on both circuits. "I think at this point, Jay [Monahan] has been pretty transparent in terms of he's just going to act within the tournament regulations and the rules that are set for a PGA Tour member," McIlroy said. "All he's doing is basically going by the book.
I think that the majority of the membership that are here this week and that haven't gone and played elsewhere really appreciate that. "So, I think he's done the right thing because these guys have broken rules and done things outside of the tournament regulations, and because of that, there are going to be consequences, I guess." McIlroy was speaking after carding an opening-round 66 at the RBC Canadian Open on Thursday, with Thomas three shots further back.
While the four-time major winner is against the idea of the breakaway series, he will be tuning in out of curiosity. "I think like everyone else, I'm intrigued and I'm a fan of golf," McIlroy said. "I've got quite a few guys over there that I call friends that are playing. "Yeah, of course I'll see it and watch it and see what all the fuss is about." Mickelson is the highest-profile casualty of Thursday's announcement, with Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia having already notified the Tour that they have resigned their membership.
Louis Oosthuizen, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter are among the other notable names featuring at the three-day LIV Golf Invitational London event that will have 12 teams and 48 players.
Echoing the comments made by McIlroy, Thomas said: "I'm pleased.
I think anybody that's shocked clearly hasn't been listening to the message that Jay and everybody's been putting out.
They took that risk going into it, whether they thought it was a risk or not. "Like I've said the whole time, I have great belief and great confidence in the PGA Tour and where we're going and continuing to grow to, and those guys just aren't going to be a part of it. "[LIV Golf] are obviously throwing so much money at people that it's very hard to turn down.
I don't care what you say in terms of that people play for different reasons.
It doesn't matter who you are or what it is, everything has a number. "They're reaching that number for some people, and I hope that they don't get others.
But I think a very strong core group of us is very stable and firm in our position, and I hope that it stays that way." Phil Mickelson made a solid return to golf at the controversial LIV Golf Invitational London, shooting a one-under first round to sit four back.
Mickelson was playing alongside Dustin Johnson , the breakaway league's other superstar , at the Centurion Club.
Both men were included on a list of players suspended by the PGA Tour shortly after teeing off, with the two captains , Mickelson for Hy Flyers and Johnson for 4 Aces , starting at the first. "I'm excited, fresh, ready," said Mickelson, who had been absent from the golfing scene since his comments about Saudi Arabia were publicised and widely criticised.
Martin Kaymer carded the first LIV Golf birdie following the shotgun start, while Mickelson showed some good form off the tee but was a little rusty with the putter.
Both he and Johnson, who made a slow start, recovered to move within four of the individual lead, although Stinger were dominating the team event.
Team-mates Charl Schwartzel (five under) and Hennie Du Plessis (four under) were first and second, with Branden Grace (two under) in a tie for fifth.
Bryson DeChambeau will be the next superstar to sign up to the LIV Golf Invitational Series, his agent has confirmed.
Brett Falkoff confirmed DeChambeau's involvement on a rollercoaster first day for LIV Golf, which launched with the first round of its first event in London on Thursday.
Reports had revealed DeChambeau and Patrick Reed would be joining the controversial breakaway league.
There was still no announcement from LIV Golf, but Falkoff said in a statement reported by GolfChannel.com: "Bryson has always been an innovator. "Having the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something unique has always been intriguing to him.
Professional golf as we know it is changing and it's happening quickly." DeChambeau does not intend to resign from the PGA Tour, the same website reported, although he may have no choice in the matter.
The Tour suspended all players involved in the LIV Golf Invitational London, including the returning Phil Mickelson.
During Thursday's first round, LIV Golf responded in a statement, saying: "Today's announcement by the PGA Tour is vindictive and it deeps the divide between the Tour and its members. "It's troubling that the Tour, an organisation dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the entity blocking golfers from playing. "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." Jun 06, 2022 Athletics SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals. (876) 619-7629 digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv source