PGA Tour Commissioner: There Will Be “Disciplinary Action” Against Johnson and Other LIV Defectors

Dustin Johnson and other PGA Tour players who announced that they will be playing in the LIV Golf Invitational Series’ opening event outside London next week will be subject to discipline by the world’s top golf tour.

After saying earlier this year that players who didn’t receive an exemption to play in an event that competed with the PGA Tour could face harsh fines and bans from PGA Tour events, commissioner Jay Monahan reiterated that stance on Wednesday.

Statement from the PGA Tour in response to last night’s announcement of the field for the first LIV Golf event, which will be played next week in London. pic.twitter.com/GwcFNlfnwn

— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) June 1, 2022

In addition to the statement saying that fines, suspensions, or bans are possible, sources reported to ESPN that Monahan met with the agents of several players that golfers will have to choose where they’re going to play—they will not be allowed to go back and forth between the PGA and LIV tours.

While the golf world waits to see what the punishment will be, Matt Jones, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, didn’t deny that money was a factor in his decision to play the LIV event.

Jones said:

“It was a good business opportunity for me and my family. [Plus,] I like the concept of three-day tournaments, and the team format aspect of things is great… I don’t think banning players is a good look for the PGA Tour, or for golf in general. I hope there is a way we can work around it. But I’m very comfortable with my decision and I’m looking forward to it.

In addition, the U.S. Open takes place later this month, which is a separate entity from the PGA Tour. The USGA, which runs the Open, said that it prides itself on the openness of its tournament and would determine the eligibility of LIV golfers on a case-by-case basis.

Cover Image Via Golf Channel