PGA TOUR won't allow members to compete in Saudi International
The PGA TOUR won't allow its members to participate in the controversial Saudi International moving forward, according to Golfweek's Eamon Lynch.
PGA TOUR members need to receive a waiver to compete on other tours. The TOUR is signaling it won't grant permission for the Saudi International as it's no longer sanctioned by the European Tour, per Lynch.
"You are correct," a PGA TOUR spokesperson confirmed to Lynch regarding the new rule. "This follows a PGA TOUR longstanding policy of not granting releases to unsanctioned events."
The European Tour is also planning to prevent its members from competing in the Saudi International, according to Lynch.
The ban is another step in the PGA TOUR and European Tour's efforts to fend off the rival Super League Golf, which is funded by Saudi investors and threatening to lure golf's biggest names with large sums of money.
The Saudi International was first played in February of 2019. It attracted star players such as Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, and two-time winner Dustin Johnson.
HEADLINES
- Lowry leads in India, McIlroy in hunt after playing without driver
- McIlroy sets sights on one day becoming Ryder Cup captain
- Schauffele wins in Japan, the country where he has close personal ties
- McCarty misses out on chance at TOUR history, settles for 60 in Japan
- Timeline of Tiger Woods' injuries over past 3 decades