The world of golf is experiencing tumultuous days. the new Invitational Series of Golf LIV, the Saudi monarchy-funded “Super League” that has showered some of the best golfers in the world with money, kicked off the first tournament of its inaugural season in London on Thursday. Almost simultaneously, the PGA Tour, which until now had controlled the reins of the sport, announced the suspension of the 17 players who accepted the Arab competition proposal, for violating the tournament rules. The LIV responded by accusing the American circuit of “vindictive”. And as the crack between the two sides widened at dizzying speed, the center of the storm was there Phil Michaelsonthe best known and most popular face of that group of “deserters”, which was the subject of criticism on Wednesday, when the protagonists attended the press, before the start of the competition.

In a letter to the members of the PGA Tour, the commissioner Jay Monahreported that players who “have chosen to compete this week (in the Super League) without the proper release of the event and media rights are suspended or ineligible to participate in tournaments on our circuit, including the Cup of PresidentsThey will not even be able to play as a sponsor’s special guest. The marginalization is total.

The sanction also applies to events on other tours governed by that organization, such as the PGA Tour in Latin America.

“These players made their decision for financial reasons, but they cannot claim the same benefits, considerations and opportunities from the PGA Tour. This expectation disrespects our fans and partners,” said Monahan.

The suspension is addressed to the Spanish Sergio Garciathe Americans Dustin Johnson and Turkish PettitSouth Africans Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace Y charl schwartzelthe British Lee WestwoodGerman Martin Kaymerthe Korean Kevin Na and Northern Irish Graeme McDowell, who have renounced their PGA membership. And also to Mickelson, his compatriots Peter Uihlein, Hudson Swafford Y Andy OgletreeBritish Ian Poultry Y Talor Gooch and the Australian Matt Joneswho haven’t done so yet.

It was also specified that the punishment will also apply to any other players who participate in future events of the Saudi championship, as if to persuade others not to follow that path. This is, according to The Telegraph newspaper, the Americans Bryson De Chambeau Y patrick cannatwo Majors champions, had planned to participate in the Arab event from the second round.

We will have to wait to see what decision the four Majors will make, which – as in the case of the Grand Slams of the tennis circuit – are official tournaments of the PGA Tour, but are not organized by that association. The only one to rule, so far, has been the US Open, which kicks off on June 16 and gave the green light to LIV attendees to challenge it.

The Arab Super League’s response to the PGA statement was immediate. “Today’s announcement from the PGA is vindictive and deepens the gap between the Tour and its members. It is worrying that an organization dedicated to creating game opportunities for golfers is the one blocking them. This will not be the last word. on this topic «The era of free agents begins», he assures in a short text published on his social networks.

The reaction of some disqualified players was also quick. “I’m no longer a member of the PGA Tour, so they didn’t put me on hold. I don’t care what the PGA says, I’m happy with where I am,” said Spaniard Garcia, who noted that his election was mainly due to the LIV’s reduced schedule will allow you to play fewer tournaments and see more family members.

The first day of competition in Centurion club of St. Albans, all eyes were on Mickelson, who returned to play after four months. Despite the 51-year-old American, winner of six majors in his entire career, he had already attracted attention in recent days and was one of the most questioned during the tense press conferences.

“Clearly this is a terrible thing. They do not forgive human rights violations,” he said hesitantly and with extreme caution, at the mention of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist who was assassinated in 2018 at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul.

The criticism was particularly harsh on him because at the end of last year he said he was “afraid of getting involved with the Saudis” because “they have a horrible human rights past”, but that was the only option he saw for. influence the PGA and its “manipulative, coercive and heavy tactics” to operate. In February, he backed down, saying he was “inconsiderate in speaking” and regretted his choice of words.

His arrival in the Arab Super League was reportedly accompanied by a bonus of $ 200 million, a figure that could be increased with good performance, considering that each tournament distributes 25 million prizes. Johnson came in for 150 million; Meanwhile, according to Australian Greg Norman, former number one and visible face of the tournament, Tiger Woods has turned down an offer of $ 1 million to play.

After confirming his participation, a human rights group accused Mickelson of being a “puppet” for agreeing to compete in a league financially backed by the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund. And to participate in a “sportswashing” act, which will help Saudi Arabia improve its image. He defended his position.

“The people I’ve worked with Investment in golf LIV they are visionaries, passionately love golf and share my drive to improve the game. They are great partners. Golf is in dire need of change, and real change is always preceded by something disruptive. My actions during this process have always been in the best interests of the sport, my teammates, sponsors and fans. “

And while he continues to argue that the PGA needs a change, the American has said he has no intention of giving up his membership of that circuit.

“I enjoyed my time on the PGA Tour and have my own opinion of what could be done and what should be done better, but I prefer those conversations to remain behind closed doors. I will not give up my license, but I don’t know what.” “, he said.

“I’ve been on the tour for over 30 years. I’ve won a lot, received a lot and am grateful for everything the tour has done for me. I’ve worked hard to get the freedom to play there for life and I don’t want to stop doing it.” He added. And confirmed that his plan is to play the US Open, the only one of the “big four” who could never win.

The action kicks off in London

The Super League kicked off with a bang, showing off its ostentation with a massive trophy, trumpet and air show, before Johnson and Mickelson, to applause from those present, appeared on the pitch.

With a large audience and tickets already sold out for the last day of Saturday, the event will be much more than a golf tournament and will include musical performances, such as Giacomo Morrison, Giacomo Baia Y John Newman.

What attracted many fans was also the novelty of the format, with 54 holes played in three days and with an individual competition and one for teams of four players, in which the captains choose the rest of the members in a sort of draft. In addition, the releases are produced in sets of three to speed up competition and television broadcasting.

This strictly sporting Thursday, South African Schwartzel was the leader with five shots under par, after the first of three rounds (as opposed to four in a traditional event) in individual competition. Mickelson is seventh, tied with other players, one below par.

While in the team category Stinger GC commands, composed by Schwartzel and captained by compatriot Oosthuizen, with -9.

Even if the truth is that during the first day, everything that happened on the pitch was left in the background. It is that the start of the LIV Golf Invitational Series was almost a declaration of war by the new league against the PGA Tour and left world golf in the midst of an unprecedented storm.

With information from agencies