Kevin Na resigns from Tour for Saudi league, says he would face ‘legal action’

“I am unhappy to share that I have picked out to resign from the PGA Tour. This has not been an easy choice and not one I just take lightly. I hope the current procedures alter and I’ll be capable to perform on the PGA Tour all over again.”

The “disciplinary proceedings and legal action” are not wholly identified at this stage, even though the discussion has stretched again as much as the Saudi collection commenced to just take condition and would pose a threat to the Tour. (GOLF’s Josh Sens wrote a specific legal rationalization right here.) In May, the Tour denied authorization for its gamers to contend in the very first occasion — with LIV CEO Greg Norman calling the Tour an “illegal monopoly” as properly as “anti-golfer, anti-supporter, and anti-competitive” — and this week, just after the field was announced, the Tour reported in a statement that read: “As communicated to our overall membership on May well 10, PGA Tour users have not been approved to take part in the Saudi Golfing League’s London celebration, beneath PGA Tour Event Restrictions. Users who violate the Match Polices are subject to disciplinary motion.”

The first LIV celebration will contend with next week’s Canadian Open up. The pursuing 7 days is the U.S. Open up, of which Na is competent for, and when attained by Golfing.com via e mail, a USGA spokesperson referred to a past statement on understanding of Na’s announcement. 

“We pride ourselves in staying the most open up championship in the globe, with roughly 50 % our subject securing their situation by means of area/regional qualifiers, on the other hand we reserve the ideal, as we always have, to overview any competitor’s problem on a scenario-by-scenario basis,” the statement reported. 

Na is also skilled for the Open up Championship. Before this 7 days, a spokesperson for the R&A, when asked by GOLF’s Josh Berhow about the listing for LIV’s to start with occasion, claimed “we have not commented on it and really do not program to as it stands.”

In the course of the 7 days, other players in the LIV event have talked about their choices. In an interview with Nationwide Club Golfer, Graeme McDowell stated “It’s a tricky conclusion as a player when there’s so numerous unknowns. We don’t know what the response is going to be.”

“The perceived implications are absolutely regarding,” McDowell also explained. “But as players, we just check with ourselves the dilemma, if we do get banned from the PGA Tour and the DP Planet Tour, for case in point, is that fantastic for the activity of golf?

“I feel it’s not excellent for the game, and I actually really feel what the fellas at LIV have finished is they’ve attempted to build a routine, which specifically suits around the PGA Tour.

“It’s intended to co-exist with the other tours in the environment, and let us just hope that it all performs out. The unknowns are a small terrifying, but I’m certain it is weighed into the selection of every player that’s resolved to just take the leap. And we just hope that the correct decision will be made.”

At the stop of Na’s note, he wrote “to maintain an eye out for LIV Golfing.”

“It is an fascinating new products and I hope you will take pleasure in the buzz it delivers to golf,” he said. “I am thrilled to get started the future chapter in my vocation, starting up following week at the inaugural LIV Invitational series event in London. I hope you will continue on to guidance me.” 

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Nick Piastowski

Golfing.com Editor

Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Journal. In his function, he is liable for editing, writing and developing stories across the golf house. And when he’s not producing about means to hit the golfing ball farther and straighter, the Milwaukee native is likely taking part in the game, hitting the ball still left, proper and limited, and drinking a cold beer to clean absent his score. You can arrive at out to him about any of these topics — his stories, his video game or his beers — at [email protected].