According to a memo obtained by the Associated Press, the players looking to play in the first event of the Saudi Arabian-financed LIV Golf Invitational Series have been denied releases by the PGA Tour.
The inaugural tournament will take place in London from June 9-11 and coincides with the Canadian Open. The players on the tour would have to be granted a release from the tour to play in the tournament.
The expectation was that the tour would grant the release to players, similar to ones it gives to other international events, but the tour informed the players who are seeking releases late Tuesday afternoon, and then notified all players of the decision in a short memo.
We have told those who applied that their request has been declined. The memo said that Tour members are not authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League event under our regulations.
Steve Loy of Sportfive said last month that Phil Mickelson was one of the players who sought a release to play.
Greg Norman is attempting to start a lucrative rival league.
A field of 48 men will compete for a $20 million purse over 54 holes at the first LIV Golf Invitation. The richest prize in golf is $4 million and the last place gets $120,000.
The CEO of LIV Golf Investments is Norman. He told Sky Sport that he would have six of the top 50 players in the world at the London event.
After the PGA Championship in May 2021, Jay Monahan told the players that anyone who joined the Saudi-financed league would be suspended and face a lifetime ban from the PGA Tour.
It is up to the players to decide if they want to stay on the tour.
Information from The Associated Press was used.
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