According to reports, Patrick Reed, a prominent player on the LIV Golf tour, was denied entry to this week’s WGC Match Play tournament after attempting to compete against the world’s top-ranked golfers. Reed and other LIV Golf players attempted to compete in the 64-man tournament while being banned from PGA Tour tournaments but were soon turned away.
The International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes circuits from all over the world, co-sanctions the WGC Match Play event. While PGA Tour is the “Host Tour” tournament, it is not solely a PGA Tour event. This creates a gray area for LIV Golf players, who are not allowed to compete PGA Tour events due to the ongoing Saudi Arabian-backed league controversy.
However, LIV Golf players who are members have recently been permitted to compete on the DP World Tour, leading some Saudi-backed circuit players to attempt entry to this week’s WGC Match Play tournament. The tournament will no longer be on the schedule after 2024.
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The Saudi-Backed League Controversy Continues
The controversy surrounding the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league has been ongoing, with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan stating that any player who participates in the league will face suspension and possible expulsion from PGA Tour. Reed and other LIV Golf players have been suspended from PGA Tour events since September 2021, leaving them unable to compete in any PGA Tour-sanctioned events.
Whether LIV Golf players will be permitted to compete in PGA Tour tournaments in the future depends depend on the results of the present legal case. Until then, Reed and other LIV Golf players will continue to be denied entry to PGA Tour events, including this week’s WGC Match Play.
Patrick Reed’s attempt to compete in this week’s WGC Match Play tournament has once again brought attention to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league.
While LIV Golf players have been allowed to compete on the DP World Tour, their exclusion from PGA Tour events has left many fans and players wondering about the future of the sport. As the court hearing continues, it remains to be seen whether LIV Golf players will be allowed to compete on PGA Tour in the future.
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