The first bombs fell in the war that is shaking the world gulf. A few minutes later, at 3:15 p.m. this Thursday, the 48 players competing in London for the first round of the LIV Golf Circuit, the multi-million dollar Saudi league, hit their first shots at the Centurion Golf Club, with the American circuit responding strong hand against the rebels. The American circuit announced that the 17 golfers affiliated with its organization who registered without their permission for the first of eight events in the Saudi league have been evicted. Among them are Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, although the first two had already resigned along with eight other players before facing those sanctions.
“In accordance with PGA Tour tournament rules, players who compete this week without a permit will be suspended or ineligible to participate in Tour tournaments, including the Presidents Cup. [torneo entre golfistas de EEUU y una selección de no europeos]”, announced the American circuit. Commissioner Jay Monahan has stated that participating in the Saudi league is a “violation” of their regulations and has assured that this action will also be taken on players who agree to register for a future LIV Golf event , and that at the same time it will prevent non-members of the American Circuit from benefiting from an invitation to compete in its competitions. “These players made their choices for their own financial reasons,” Monahan said in a letter to loyal American tour members, “but they cannot demand the same benefits, considerations and opportunities as you. It’s a lack of respect. I’m sure our fans and partners – who are certainly fed up with all this talk of money, money and more money – will continue to be entertained by the world-class competition you host each week. This week’s RBC Canadian Open is a shining example of what you’ve created with the PGA Tour: a star-studded field, a dedicated sponsor, sold-out tickets and global coverage. These elements are part of the Tour’s DNA, built by the likes of Jack [Nicklaus] and Arnie [Arnold Palmer], promoted by Tiger and many others whose legacies are united. This collective heritage cannot be bought or sold.”
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The 17 players sent off from the American Circuit are Sergio García, Talor Gooch, Branden Grace, Dustin Johnson, Matt Jones, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Phil Mickelson, Kevin Na, Andy Ogletree, Louis Oosthuizen, Turk Pettit, Ian Poulter, Charl Schwartzel, Hudson Swafford, Peter Uihlein, and Lee Westwood.
LIV Golf was slow to react to the first offensive. In another statement, the organization of the new Saudi league fired back, saying: “Today’s announcement by the PGA Tour is vindictive and deepens the rift between the tour and its members. It is concerning that the Tour, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play golf, is the organization preventing golfers from playing. Of course, this is not the last word on this topic. As the free agent era is just beginning, we’re proud to have a whole field of players joining us in London and beyond.”
There is no more truce in a war where each side plays their tricks to suck blood. LIV Golf attracts economic power. In this field he has no rival. Each of the eight tournaments scheduled between June and October (London, Portland, Bedminster, Boston, Chicago, Bangkok, Jeddah and Miami) holds a chest full of gold coins: $25 million each in the first seven dates, in which they compete individually and collectively, and 50 million for the end of the party, only for teams. Every single tournament champion takes home a check for four million dollars, more than the PGA’s best Sunday (The Players, 3.6 million) and a lot more than it takes to win a big one: 2.7 for that Masters and the PGA; 2.2 for the US Open; 2.07 for the British Open. There is also a bonus of 30 million, which will be distributed to the podium of the final individual ranking. A total of $255 million, spread over eight tests of three days each, totaling 24 working days. Impossible to compete with this offer of more money for fewer hours. A temptation even for stars with a lot of zeros in the account: Johnson earned 74 million dollars in prize money from the PGA alone, sponsorship aside, and 54 million for Sergio García.
The PGA Tour card is not in the form of a ticket. The insurgents have already been expelled. But that level of strength still seems insufficient when the exiled golfers, who have secured eight tournaments in the Saudi league and are making more money than they would at the traditional circuit, can compete in the big four. These are outside the umbrella of the PGA and European Circuit (DP World Tour) as they are governed by four independent governing bodies: Augusta National Golf Club (the Masters), the PGA of America (the PGA Championship), the USGA (the US Open) and Royal and Ancient (British Open). And there the next great battle will be fought, which can be decisive. The Big Four are spectators of the shootout for now, and only a few days ago the USGA announced that the qualifiers for the US Open, taking place in Boston next week, will keep their place despite the alliance of some with the petrodollars. The decision stems from the proximity between the London tournament and the US Open. Too little time for such a blunt measure. The question is whether the four Grand Slam events will maintain this position from now on or close their doors to the rebels as American and European circuits intend to grow strong in their trenches. Without this award, the feeling is that LIV Golf will emerge victorious from the clash of heads. Despite being banned from the PGA Tour, more than one golfer will consider lining their pockets with the Saudi millions while competing for glory with the greats. It seems like a perfect game, win or win.
Another scenario is the Ryder Cup. Johnson assumed this week that he would not be allowed to compete against Europe in the continental duel. García and the Europeans, meanwhile, are hoping that the European circuit will allow them to register for the next edition in Rome 2023. This will be another game of chess. Golfers who compete at the Ryder do not charge a dollar or euro to enter, although the competition is a money-making factory. And that’s what this fight that’s rocking golf is all about. Currently, the game is played on the field and in offices, but it will soon reach the courts. The dissidents’ argument is their freedom to play the tournaments they deem most beneficial and the alleged unlawfulness of a ban. A battalion of lawyers prepares.
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