The Rush: Mickelson, Johnson and other PGA defectors allowed to play in US Open
Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu hit a half court buzzer beater right before halftime in New York’s 88-69 win over the Minnesota Lynx. The USGA ruled that players who are jumping ship from the PGA to the LIV like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson will be eligible to play in the US Open next week. Unfortunately, Tiger Woods won’t be playing in the tournament.
Video Transcript
- Floater off the mark. Rebound, Xu. Sabrina can put it off from half court-- off the window! Sabrina Ionescu, exclamation point to end this first half!
JARED QUAY: The US Open is next week, and the big question around the tourney was if the players who were jumping ship from the PGA to the LIV would be allowed to participate. Well, wonder no more, because guys like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson will be allowed to play.
- Mystery solved.
JARED QUAY: The USGA said that they wouldn't bar anyone from playing who had earned the right through qualification or exemption. Though they did emphasize not to get it twisted.
They're not supporting any golfers abandoning the PGA for big paydays with the Saudi Arabian-backed tour, it should set up a fair amount of intrigue around Mickelson, who hasn't golfed in months, lost significant endorsements, and admitted to struggling with gambling addiction and losing $40 million.
- That's a lot of money.
JARED QUAY: It might help explain why he switched tours in the first place, because he'll make $200 million with the LIV. Man, that sounds like a typo.
Yes, the US Open should be a little more interesting, but Tiger Woods won't be playing, so I really don't care. I'm kind of just a Tiger stan, not even a golf stan. In fact, maybe they should add real tigers. Might make the green a little tougher if a tiger was behind you just growling. Rawr.
