The PGA Tour has issued a statement after the LIV Golf Invitational London field was announced, remaining firm in its stance that players will be "subject to disciplinary action" after it declined release requests from a number of its members to play in the event.
“As communicated to our membership on May 10, PGA Tour members have not been authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event, under PGA TOUR Regulations," the Tour said. "Members who violate the Tournament Regulations are subject to disciplinary action.”
The PGA Tour will likely find itself in legal proceedings if it goes ahead with banning players from competing as LIV CEO Greg Norman has constantly maintained that is unlawful.
The inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series tournament begins next week at the Centurion Club near London, where Dustin Johnson will headline the 48-man field. DJ has reportedly been offered $125m to play in the Series. He'll be joined by big names including Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Louis Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and a number of other PGA and DP World Tour players.
One name not yet in the field is Phil Mickelson, although there is still room for the six-time Major winner. As it stands there are 42 golfers named, with five set to qualify via the Asian Tour's International Series event in England this week - leaving one spot open for Mickelson, or another.
Mickelson still hasn't played since the Saudi International in February following his controversial comments on Saudi Arabia, the PGA Tour's "abnoxious greed" and how he was using the LIV Golf Invitational Series as leverage against the PGA Tour.
The PGA Tour and the Majors have been drastically increasing prize pools but the finances in the LIV Series still dwarfs that of its competitors. Next week's RBC Canadian Open purse is a healthy $8.7m, but that is still some $16m+ short of the $25m on offer in London. The DP World Tour's Scandinavian Mixed prize money of $2m is blown out of the water by that of the Saudi-backed Series.
It remains to be seen what the PGA and DP World Tours do next.
-
US Open Betting Tips And Odds: Final Round PicksWho are we picking to win the 2025 US Open?
-
LIV Golf Carlos Ortiz Said He ‘Deserved’ To Be At US Open… A Year On And He’s Contending To Win ItA year ago, Carlos Ortiz claimed he warranted a place in the US Open field - now, he's in the mix to take the title at Oakmont
-
'And Then I’m Going Fishing’ - Dustin Johnson Reveals Retirement Plans But Maintains He Isn’t Done YetAfter his success at the 2016 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Dustin Johnson believes he can still compete at the top level and get back to his best before retiring to the fishing lakes
-
‘My Game’s Been Really Close’ – Dustin Johnson Confident He Can Contend For Second US Open Title At OakmontThe 2016 US Open champion is confident in his game ahead of the Major, despite some recent disappointments at the big events
-
Remembering The Controversial Penalty That Almost Cost Dustin Johnson The 2016 US Open At OakmontOakmont staging the US Open again conjures up memories of the last time it held the event, when Dustin Johnson had to survive a nervy rules controversy to lift the title
-
Phil Mickelson Admits 'There’s A High Likelihood' Oakmont Could Be His Final US OpenPhil Mickelson admits that Oakmont could be his farewell appearance in the US Open as the six-time runner-up's exemption is due to expire
-
Ian Poulter's Son Painfully Misses Out On US Open Debut Via Playoff Despite Fantastic Second Round In Final QualifyingLuke Poulter produced a brilliant second round at Emerald Dunes Golf Club in Florida but missed out on a guaranteed first Major championship start
-
Lee Westwood Set For Senior PGA Championship DebutThe former World No.1 is making his first ever Senior PGA Championship start this week at Congressional, where his fellow LIV Golfer Richard Bland defends the title
-
Ian Poulter's Son Reaches US Open Final Qualifying One Year After Serious Back InjurySon of European golf legend, Ian, Luke Poulter is just two rounds away from his first Major start a year after suffering a back fracture in 2024 US Open qualifying
-
Tiger Woods Heads 8 Golfers To Make All Time Rich List Of Top 50 Highest Paid AthletesTiger Woods is the second highest paid athlete of all time behind only Michael Jordan in a new top 50 rich list from Sportico
