Longtime member Kevin Na resigns from PGA Tour to pursue other playing opportunities, including the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Five-time PGA Tour winner Kevin Na announced on social media Saturday he resigned from the PGA Tour before he headed to London to play in the inaugural tournament of the LIV Golf Invitational Series at the Centurion Club June 9-11.
The 19-year veteran wrote of his love for the PGA Tour and the opportunities it provided but the upstart league headed by Greg Norman and backed by Saudi Arabia, which features eight events this year with $255 million in prize money, 54-hole no-cut events and shotgun starts, was too much to pass up.
By resigning his membership, Na is no longer exempt into PGA Tour-sanctioned events this year.
“Recent developments in the professional golf world have given me a chance to reconsider my options. I would like the freedom to play wherever I want and exercising my right as a free agent gives me that opportunity,” Na said in posts on Twitter and Instagram. “However to remain a PGA Tour player, I must give up my right to make choices about my career. If I exercise my right to choose where and when I play golf, then I cannot remain a PGA Tour player without facing disciplinary proceedings and legal action from the PGA Tour.
“I am sad to share that I have chosen to resign from the PGA Tour. This has not been an easy decision and now one I take lightly. I hope the current policies change and I’ll be able to play on the PGA Tour again.”
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has told PGA Tour members that players who opt to play in the LIV league face disciplinary action, which could include hefty fines, suspensions and even banishment from the PGA Tour.
This was a very difficult decision for me. I hope my fans will continue to support me wherever I choose to play. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/3Vp2e7cPfH
— Kevin Na (@kevinna915) June 4, 2022
Na joins Dustin Johnson, a former No. 1 player in the world who has a pair of majors under his belt, for the London event. Others listed in the field include Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Talor Gooch.
List
From Saudi Arabia to Portland, get to know the courses hosting the LIV Golf Invitational Series in 2022
