PGA Tour Ponders Course of Action for LIV Golf Defectors’ Re-Entry

The PGA Tour is pondering its course of action for allowing players who defected to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League to regain Tour status, according to a memo sent to players by Commissioner Jay Monahan last night.

Since the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) agreement to a merger came out several months ago, one of the most highlighted topics is how the Tour plans to handle the re-entry of golfers who left for LIV.

According to the memo, the Tour is in the process of doing just that. 

The PGA Tour is in the process of determining a Player Benefit Program and Player Discipline for LIV players “who may endeavor to reapply for membership,” with “steady progress” being made on the effort.

Monahan wrote in his memo to players, which included an opposing stance to the proposed golf ball rollback, that “a task force is evaluating developing potential pathways back to the PGA Tour for LIV players who wish to reapply in the future.”

NEW: Jay Monahan sent the following memo to PGA Tour members today. Some key points below:

• The PGA Tour is declining to adopt a rollback of the golf ball.

• A task force is evaluating pathways back to the PGA TOUR for LIV players who wish to reapply in the future. pic.twitter.com/DdaEEc7Kom

— John Nucci (@JNucci23) July 27, 2023

When LIV started capturing Tour favorites like Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson, there was a wonder of whether these athletes would ever be able to compete on the PGA Tour again. 

But it seems the PGA Tour is committed to making this happen, and as the game surely would benefit from a regular lineup of the game’s superstars, there is no word on what the actual punishments could be.

Reports from earlier this year have speculated that players who rejoin the PGA Tour could face “everything from fines to a year suspension dating from a player’s final LIV event played.” These unconfirmed suspension terms were first reported by The Athletic and were supposedly given by sources within the Tour.

Means a lot to take home the trophy in Orlando, my home state and Ricky’s backyard 🏆 Feels good to be back on the podium and just the start for @smashgc Thanks for the support this week! pic.twitter.com/joJHdFsloT

— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) April 3, 2023

However, one can only think that those who plan to reapply will have something to say about a year’s suspension. Many LIV defectors said they wanted a relaxed schedule that did not require competing three to four times a month. However, you can bet they don’t want something that relaxed.

Even still, the terms are unconfirmed, and the PGA Tour and PIF have many things to iron out before the inclusion of those who have left is reconsidered. Now that Monahan is back from an illness that sidelined him from his duties for several weeks, we are hopeful that more progress will be made.

Cover Image via WPTV