Kevin Na resigns from PGA Tour; will participate in LIV golf series

Kevin Na, a five-time winner on the PGA Tour, announced on Saturday that he has resigned from the tour, instead of facing potential discipline and legal action for playing in a rival series.

Na, who is ranked 33rd in the world, resigned on his social media account. Na is thought to be the first player to quit the tour because of the tour's stance on players competing in the rival series.

Na, a 19-year veteran of the PGA Tour, said he wanted the freedom to play wherever he wanted and that exercising his right as a free agent gave him that opportunity.

To remain a PGA Tour player, Na must give up his right to make career decisions. If I don't exercise my right to choose where and when I play golf, I won't be able to stay on the tour.

I have decided to step down from the tour. It has not been an easy decision to make. I hope the current policies are changed so I can play on the tour again.

Na was one of 13 PGA Tour players who were invited to play in the first LIV Golf event. Some of the others were Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.

This was a very difficult decision for me. I hope my fans will continue to support me wherever I choose to play. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/3Vp2e7cPfH

— Kevin Na (@kevinna915) June 4, 2022

The PGA Tour denied conflicting event releases for players who requested them to play in the London tournament, which coincides with the Canadian Open. The players were told at the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio, that they had to decide if they wanted to play on the PGA Tour or the LIV Golf series.

If players competed in a conflicting event without a release, they would face punishment, including fines and suspensions.

Na has made over 38 million dollars during his career. He has six top 25s this season, including a tie for 14th at the Masters and a tie for 23rd at the PGA Championship.

Please keep an eye out for LIV Golf. I hope you like the buzz it brings to golf. I'm excited to start the next chapter in my career next week at the inaugural LIV invitational in London. I hope you will keep supporting me.