LIV Golf series: PGA Tour chief defends bans as families of 9/11 victims slam participating players
A PGA Tour decision to ban those playing in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series has been defended as families of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks have vented their disgust.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan on Sunday defended his decision to ban players on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, vowing rebel players could not expect to “free-ride” off loyal members.
In his first public comments since the tour announced suspensions against 17 current or former PGA Tour players for their participation in LIV golf, Monahan said the bans were necessary to protect the interests of the tour.
“It’s been an unfortunate week that was created by some unfortunate decisions,” Monahan said in a television interview with CBS on the sidelines of the Canadian Open.
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“It’s my job to protect, defend and celebrate our loyal PGA Tour members, our partners and our fans and that’s exactly what I did.”
Players who have opted to join the lucrative Saudi-backed series in defiance of the PGA Tour regulations currently have no pathway back to the tour’s events.
Asked why LIV golfers simply could not be allowed to play on both circuits, Monahan replied: “I would answer the question by asking a question. And that is, why do they need us so badly?
“Those players have chosen to sign multi-year, lucrative contracts to play in a series of exhibition matches against the same players, over and over again.”
Monahan contrasted that with Sunday’s climax to the RBC Canadian Open, where Rory McIlroy was topping the leaderboard in a gripping final round.
“The best players in the world are here, with millions of fans watching,” Monahan said.
“In this game it’s true, pure competition that creates the profile and the presence of the world’s greatest players.
“And that’s why they need us, that’s what we do. We’re not going to allow players to free-ride off our loyal members, the best players in the world.”
Monahan would not be drawn on whether the players suspended by the PGA Tour could ever return to the circuit.
“We made a decision last week to suspend those players,” he said. “They’re no longer eligible for tournament play. And at this point that is all we’re prepared to talk to.
“We’ll see how things continue to develop as we go down the road.”
Monahan meanwhile expressed sympathy with families of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington who have slammed the decision of players to join the Saudi-funded series.
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers involved in 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia.
Terry Strada, the widow of a 9/11 victim, said in an open letter on Friday that LIV golfers had “insulted” the memory of loved ones by joining the series.
“I have two families close to me that lost loved ones on 9/11, so my heart goes out to them,” Monahan said.
“I would ask any player that has left (the PGA Tour), or any player that would consider leaving ‘Have you ever had to apologise for being a member of the PGA Tour?’”rcw/bb
Big-name star joins golf rebels after inaugural event
Charl Schwartzel won the inaugural event in the Saudi-funded rebel LIV Golf series on Saturday as Patrick Reed became the latest big-name player to sign up.
South Africa’s Schwartzel carded a final round of 72 at the Centurion Club outside London to finish seven under par and a shot clear of compatriot Hennie du Plessis.
The 37-year-old received a winner’s cheque of $4 million and also won $750,000 for being part of the winning team in the 54-hole, three-day event.
“Honestly, I’m relieved,” said the 2011 Masters champion, who led by five shots with seven holes to play before a double bogey on the 12th set up a nervy finish.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think we could play for so much money in golf. It’s been an amazing experience.”
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, who attempted to set up a world tour in 1994, said: “The evolution of the game of golf is alive and LIV is alive.
“For 27 years there’s been a lot of obstacles put in our path, a lot of dreams have tried to be squashed, but they couldn’t squash us and golf was always going to be the force for good out of all this.”
Earlier, US golfer Reed became the latest US PGA Tour member to join the breakaway circuit, with the 17 competing in the first event this week suspended by the Tour shortly after play started in St Albans on Thursday.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said the “same fate holds true” for any players who compete in future LIV events, with Reed and Bryson DeChambeau set to contest the second event in Oregon starting at the end of the month.
Reed, 31, who won the Masters in 2018 and has nine professional titles under his belt, is the ninth major champion to join the rebel series.
“The growing roster of LIV Golf players gets even stronger today with a player of Patrick Reed’s calibre,” said Norman.
“He has a proven track record as one of the most consistent competitors in pro golf and adds yet another big presence at our tournaments.”
Reed said: “I’m super excited – just the thought of being a part of an evolution and a change in golf for the better.”
Video catches Norman in blatant lie
Greg Norman has been accused of getting his security “goons” to escort a journalist from a press conference only for vision to later emerge of the Australian golfing great smirking in the background through the entire ordeal.
Norman’s absence from any promotional opportunities or press conferences has been one of the talking points of the controversial LIV golf tour’s debut event at London this week.
While the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter sweat through media questioning about their rebellion from the PGA tour and their ethics for essentially taking part in sports-washing, Norman has been conspicuous by his absence.
You cannot make this shit up! I texted Greg Norman before someone sent me this video - I had no idea he was lurking behind me. pic.twitter.com/thgdMlfTAR
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) June 9, 2022
The Australian had been the front man for the entire operation but after some fumbled comments last month when he referred to the killing of a US journalist by Saudis as “we’ve all made mistakes” Norman has barely been sighted or interviewed anywhere since.
But it wasn’t what Norman said, but rather a brief text message exchange, that has landed the Great White Shark in a hot water after renowned golf journalist Alan Shipnuck was kicked out of Mickelson’s press conference.
Shipnuck was the reporter who exposed Mickelson’s thoughts on the Saudis being “scary motherf*****s” that almost brought the entire rebel tour to its knees and prompted Mickelson to take time away from golf.
This was Mickelson’s first press appearance since those comments were aired and, as any strong-willed journalist should, Shipnuck wanted to be present to challenge the former world No. 1 on his decision to still line up in London.
Well, a couple of neckless security dudes just physically removed me from Phil Mickelson's press conference, saying they were acting on orders from their boss, whom they refused to name. (Greg Norman? MBS? Al Capone?) Never a dull moment up in here.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) June 9, 2022
But security wouldn’t allow it, with the reporter tweeting that he was “physically removed” from the area by a “couple of neckless security dudes” who said they were “acting on orders from their boss”.
He then made a complaint direct to Norman via text message, who denied any knowledge of the incident.
“Are you aware that I just got muscled out of Phil’s press conference by a couple of your goons? Luckily for you guys I kept my cool and de-escalated the situation. Please call me to discuss,” Shipnuck text Norman at 7.43pm.
Here's a snippet of video of @AlanShipnuck getting removed from Phil Mickelson's post-round interview this evening at the LIV event outside of London. Not shown: one of the security guards twice putting hands on Alan, who on both occasions said, "Do not touch me." Video by @CNNhttps://t.co/zQRTKfUNwdpic.twitter.com/r5jj0ysibe
— Fire Pit Collective (@firepitstories) June 9, 2022
By 9.10pm Norman simply replied: “Did not hear. Thanks for letting me know.”
But Norman lied. He knew exactly what had happened.
By then Shipnuck, who had also tweeted about the incident, had received video of the entire ordeal and standing in the background, just a few metres away with a smirk across his face, was Norman watching everything unfold.
Shipnuck instantly hit back with a simple reply “That’s funny because:” with a screenshot of Norman watching just over his right shoulder.
The Shark had been busted in perhaps the worst photo bomb of all time.
17 PLAYERS SUSPENDED OVER LIV GOLF
Australian Matt Jones is among 17 players who have been suspended from the US PGA Tour over their involvement in Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed LIV golf tour.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sent a memo to the Tour’s membership on Thursday updating them on their position on the players who had chosen to compete in LIV Tour’s inaugural event this week without receiving a release from the PGA Tour.
Monahan said that the players, including the likes of Jones, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, were suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.
Jones was 23rd on the Presidents Cup rankings and unlikely to force his way into the International team for the event later this year. Monahan said their participation in the Saudi Golf League was in violation of PGA Tour tournament regulations.
“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” Monahan wrote to the Tour’s membership.
“But they can’t demand the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners.”
Norman has raised the prospect of taking legal action against the PGA Tour should they attempt to ban players who supported the LIV Tour. The LIV Tour released a statement describing the PGA Tour’s decision as vindictive.
“Today’s announcement by the PGA Tour is vindictive and it deepens the divide between the Tour and its members,” the statement said.
“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. 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.”
Jones is one of six Australians – and the only one who is a permanent member of the PGA Tour – to appear in the LIV Tour’s first tournament, which began on Thursday night at the Centurion Club in England.
A number of players competing on the LIV Tour had already resigned their PGA Tour membership. The likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed have also been tipped to join the LIV Tour in the near future, potentially when the second event is played in America at the end of the month.
In regard to the prospect of the players competing on the PGA Tour in the future, Monahan wrote: “Trust that we’re prepared to deal with those questions and we’ll approach them in the same we have this entire process: by being transparent and respecting the PGA TOUR regulations that you helped establish.
“I am certain our fans and partners – who are surely tired of all this talk of money, money and more money – will continue to be entertained and compelled by the world-class competition you display each and every week, where there are true consequences for every shot you take and your rightful place in history whenever you reach that elusive winner’s circle.
“This week, the RBC Canadian Open is a shining example of what you have created with the PGA Tour: a star-studded field, a committed sponsor, sold-out hospitality offerings, record crowds and a global broadcast distribution.
“These elements are part of the Tour’s DNA, built by the likes of Jack and Arnie, furthered by Tiger and countless others – whose legacies are inextricably linked, with each other and with the PGA Tour. This collective legacy can’t be bought or sold.”
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