PGA Tour Extends LIV Bans For 2022/23 Season

In a letter sent out by the PGA Tour, it states that the PGA Tour players who have been suspended for going to LIV Golf will have their memberships revoked for the 2022-2023 season

Smith hits a tee shot in front of the LIV Golf leaderboard
(Image credit: Getty Images)

In a report by Sports Illustrated, it has been revealed that a letter has been sent to the relevant LIV golfers who haven't given up their PGA Tour memberships, with the Tour announcing that they will not be allowed to play on the circuit in 2022/23.

The players in question include Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Pat Perez and all other PGA Tour players who did not resign their Tour membership when they teed it up in the LIV Golf Invitational Series tournaments. 

WHAT IS LIV GOLF?

In the letter, which was written by Kirsten Burgess, the PGA Tour’s vice president of competition administration, it states that: “The terms of your contractual commitments to LIV Golf prohibit you from satisfying the material obligations set forth in the regulations and make clear that you have no intention to, and indeed cannot comply with these requirements of membership in the PGA Tour.

“The Tour cannot enter into a membership agreement with a player when, as here, it reasonably anticipates the player will not perform the material obligations under that agreement. Accordingly, your PGA Tour membership cannot and will not be renewed for the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season.’’

As of writing, seven LIV players, including Mickelson and DeChambeau, have filed an antitrust lawsuit, with LIV Golf also joining the lawsuit against the PGA Tour after it filed an amended complaint in the US District Court in Northern California.

Within, the Greg Norman-fronted venture has said it is seeking "punitive damages against the PGA Tour for its tortious interference with LIV Golf's prospective business relationships." It adds, the PGA Tour is "an entrenched monopolist with a vice-grip on professional golf." 

DeChambeau and Mickelson chat at the LIV Golf event

DeChambeau and Mickelson are amongst the seven players in the Antitrust Lawsuit

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Antitrust Lawsuit surrounds the players who have defected to the Saudi-funded breakaway circuit that have been indefinitely suspended from the PGA Tour. It is that sanction they wish to challenge.

Jay Monahan and other Tour officials believe they are well within their power to ban any members who tee it up in conflicting events without permission and won out when Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones attempted to gain entry into the FedEx Cup Playoffs via a temporary restraining order (TRO).

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x