LIV or Die With the PGA?

06/10/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

LIV Golf Tees Off as PGA Tour Suspends 17 Players for Participation

Let the battle begin! LIV Golf teed off with a bang on Thursday from the Centurion Club in London, sporting a wild new format of competitive golf that was full of flare. Unfortunately for the PGA Tour players involved, their PGA cards were officially revoked. The Tour suspended 17 players on Thursday who made the switch to the LIV series. And while the opening round in London was a sight to see — hole countdowns, shotgun starts and a quick-and-snappy five-hour day — it was still a brand new concept backed by questionable ownership.

 

The Majors Hold the Cards

While the PGA Tour officially suspended the 17 members who made the switch, those golfers are still eligible for the majors since the PGA does not own those events. The majors — The Masters, The Players, U.S. Open and Open Championship — will play a critical role in the future of golf if they decide to ban LIV Golf participants as well. When it’s all said and done, Augusta National (The Masters) could play the trump card on this stare down between PGA and LIV.

 

LIV Golf Leaderboard (Round 1)

C. Schwartzel (-5)

H. Du Plessis (-4)

P. Khongwatmai (-3)

S. Vincent (-3)

B. Grace (-2)

J. Harding (-2)

P. Mickelson (-1)

D. Johnson (-1)

 

Watch: LIV Golf London Round 1 (Full Rewind)

 

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: LIV Golf Changed the Sport Forever, But Not in the Way You Might Think

B/R: PGA Tour Officially Suspends Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson & All Current, Future LIV Golfers

 

Photo: Matthew Lewis / Getty Images