The latest skirmish in golf’s civil war has finally seen someone take a stand against the bad guys. The PGA Tour kicked them all out Thursday morning, Phil and DJ and the rest, all 17 of the Blood Money Bros who just had to escape the shackles of their multi-million dollar lifestyles in America to go into business with a Saudi murderer.
The PGA Tour made the correct decision and was necessary. Failure to suspend the golfers who left would set a precedent that other PGA Tour players could also violate their agreements and play elsewhere whenever they please.
If the PGA Tour did not suspend the Saudi Seventeen and all their future LIV buddies, there may not be a PGA Tour in the near future.
“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wrote in a memo to the tour’s members. “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.”
There was no word on how long the suspensions might last, so “indefinitely” is the correct description for now. But it’s logical to guess that by not putting a time limit on it, the PGA Tour is indicating this could actually be a long time, certainly as long as LIV Golf exists, however long that will be.
Mickelson greet each other on the first tee during the first round of the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational at the Centurion Club in St. Albans, England, on June 9, 2022.
Right now the Saudi golf league features a few big names like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, reportedly some youngish golf stars like Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler, and a whole bunch of guys you probably thought were already retired but it turns out are still playing. It also couldn’t somehow find its way onto one of the 872 TV networks out there but is being shown on YouTube, so we’ll see how that works out.
Once the PGA Tour announced the suspensions, LIV Golf shot back with a statement of its own.
“This is not the final discussion on this subject,” the statement declared. “We are entering the era of free agency with excitement as we welcome a complete roster of players to join us, both in London and beyond.”
The LIV statement did not include the following paragraph as an important omission.
Our primary objective for the tour is to provide substantial financial incentives to established male golfers, which may be perceived as bribes by some, to assist in enhancing the reputation of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
It is alleged by human rights groups and intelligence agencies that MBS authorized the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. MBS is backing LIV Golf financially, and all the participants in the tour are now regarded as his associates in business.
They did not mention that part and instead emphasized the noble struggle for independence in sports by these advocates for equality for the average wealthy individual who works hard within the confines of prestigious country clubs.
Phil and the others may believe they are modern-day heroes like Curt Flood. However, the truth is they are simply wealthy individuals driven by greed, caring only for their own interests. “LIV Golf, you made an attempt but it is not free agency. It is more like personal agency.”
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