golf's 'super league war' intensifies as the establishment take a hard line
10 MAY, 2022 - SHANK MEDIA, BY Matt Hooper: THE PGA Tour AND DP WORLD TOUR HAS TODAY DECIDED TO DENY PERMISSION FOR THEIR MEMBERS TO GET RELEASES TO PLAY IN THE LIV GOLF INVITATIONAL SERIES OPENER AT THE CENTURION CLUB NEXT MONTH. THE MOVE IS SEEN AS SOMEWHAT OF A SURPRISE, WITH THE TOURS PREVIOUSLY EXPECTED TO HAVE ALLOWED PLAYERS TO PLAY IN THE FIRST EVENT, ESPECIALLY AS IT WAS NOT ON AMERICAN SOIL. PGA Tour MEMBERSHIP FORBIDS ANY MEMBER FROM PLAYING A COMPETING EVENT IN THE United States.
Greg Norman HAS, PREDICTABLY, REACTED WITH FURY. THE AUSTRALIAN CEO OF LIV GOLF HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT BELOW:
Statement from Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf
“Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament. This is particularly disappointing in light of the Tour’s non-profit status, where its mission is purportedly ‘to promote the common interests of professional tournament golfers.’ Instead, the Tour is intent on perpetuating its illegal monopoly of what should be a free and open market. The Tour’s action is anti-golfer, anti-fan, and anti-competitive. But no matter what obstacles the PGA Tour puts in our way, we will not be stopped. We will continue to give players options that promote the great game of golf globally.”
AS YET NO PLAYER HAS PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WILL NOT BE PLAYING IN THE EVENT AT CENTURION CLUB, BUT IT IS THOUGH SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES MAY NOW PULL OUT DUE TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF DEFYING THE PGA Tour.
