The American Kevin Na announced on Saturday that he has resigned from the PGA Tour to compete in Saudi LIV Golf without being exposed to penalties on the North American circuit.
Na was the first golfer to publicly announce that he would stop competing on the PGA Tour, and was instead selected LIV Golf, an initiative supported by Saudi Arabia and seeking to organize a quality competitor circuit and prestige on the US-based tour.
“Recent advances in professional golf have given me the opportunity to reconsider my options,” said Na, No. 33 in the world and played on the PGA Tour for 19 years.
“I want to (have) the freedom to play wherever I want and exercising my right as a free agent gives me that opportunity. However, to remain a PGA Tour player, I must waive my right to make career decisions. If I exercise my right to choose where and when I play golf, I cannot remain a PGA Tour player without facing disciplinary proceedings and legal action. “
“I am sad to share that I have decided to resign from the PGA Tour.. This is not an easy decision and one to be taken lightly. Hopefully the current policy changes and I can play again on the PGA Tour. “
Furthermore, Na praised LIV Golf as “an exciting new product” and said he was “excited” at this new stage in his career.
The move by Na represents a new point of confrontation between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
After weeks of gossip and suspicion, the PGA Tour took a step forward in mid -May by denying permission for its touring players to compete in the LIV Golf Invitational Series, the first date of this tour and held in London. June 9 to 11.
On both dates, the RBC Canadian Open will be played on the PGA Tour in Toronto.
“PGA Tour members are not allowed to participate in the Saudi League event in London under our rules. As a membership organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the tour and its players, ”the PGA Tour said at the time.
On Wednesday, the PGA Tour increased its pressure by reiterating its refusal to allow its members to participate in LIV Golf and by threatening “disciplinary measures” for violators of that mandate.
Sergio García and American Dustin Johnson are two of the well -known names who will participate in the LIV Invitational, which also includes Spaniards Pablo Larrazábal, Adrián Otaegui and amateur David Puig, South African Louis Oosthuizen, the Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell or the Englishman Lee Westwood.
Kevin Na also appeared on that list for the LIV Invitational.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
