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The PGA suspended players who attended the LIV event today, LIV responded saying 'it was not the last word on this topic'

TODAY the PGA Tour suspended the 17 wantaway Saudi golf rebels who attended the first $25 million Invitational Series event at Centurion Club.

Within half an hour of the start of the event, the PGA Tour sent a memo to all members informing them that the players competing at Centurion were being suspended.

These include the likes of Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Branden Grace, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Lee Westwood.

The 17 LIV ‘rebels’ suspended by the PGA Tour. A strong statement below from Commissioner Jay Monahan.
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— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) June 9, 2022

The statement from PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan read,

"In accordance with the PGA Tour's Tournament Regulations, the players competing this week without releases are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup,"

"This also applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA Tour: the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamerica.

"Their participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf event is in violation of our Tournament Regulations.

"The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our Regulations."

LIV Golf responded within minutes of the news labelling the PGA Tour 'vindictive', adding this 'deepens 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," the statement read.

"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."

It is reported that The LIV Golf Invitational Series will hold eight events this year, each offering at least $25million (£20m) in prize money, with $4m (£3m) of that going to the winner. The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF)-backed competition is expected to increase the number of tournaments to 14 by 2024.

🗣️ "This certainly is not the last word on this topic"

The LIV Golf Series have responded to the PGA Tour's statement 👇 pic.twitter.com/cGMk1ISBN2

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 9, 2022