Published 02/04/2023, 2:15 AM EST
The commencement of LIV Golf was a difficult process to be accepted by the golf world. Evidently enough, the PGA Tour was unhappy and suspended all the defectors from competing in their Tour from hereon. However, are the LIV Golf players allowed to compete when it comes to the highly anticipated 2023 Ryder Cup?
The upcoming Ryder Cup will take place in Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome, Italy from 29th September to 1st October. Though usually, the drama in the International golf event occurs during the ongoing tournament, the 44th edition of USA VS Europe has seen plenty of controversies before the players even stepped on the field.
The limelight on the Ryder Cup began when questions were asked if LIV Defectors who’ve left the PGA Tour for the lucrative Tour will be allowed to participate in the upcoming event. Let’s take a look at what is the status of the question.
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Will LIV Golf players compete in the upcoming Ryder Cup?
Undoubtedly, Ryder Cup is one of the most prestigious prizes in the sport of golf. The honor of representing your nation or continent on the international stage remains immeasurable. And captaining one such team can easily be considered one of the biggest feats. The 2016 Open Championship winner Henrik Stenson was given the iconic role of leading the European Team in this year’s Ryder Cup.
May 20, 2022; Tulsa, OK, USA; Henrik Stenson plays his shot from the ninth tee during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
However, following his move to the Saudi-funded Tour, Stenson was stripped off from his duties and even removed from his team. While some appreciated the decision others felt it was unfair treatment of the defectors. In October of last year, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monohan announced the suspension of all LIV Golf players from the American Tour and events such as the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.
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Since the Ryder Cup is administered by the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe, the latter a joint venture of the PGA European Tour (60%), the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland (20%), and the PGAs of Europe (20%), the decision of ignoring the LIV defectors stands. All the commissions have condemned the LIV Golf stars for making the jump.
Golf – The inaugural LIV Golf Invitational – Centurion Club, St Albans, Britain – June 8, 2022 Phil Mickelson of the U.S. during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Nonetheless, the breakaway Tour’s organizers and players have taken measures to oppose their former Tour’s decision. The defectors, led by Phil Mickelson, decided to sue the PGA Tour for their suspension. However, Lefty and many others dropped their lawsuit later. Now with only a few months left for the Ryder Cup, the lucrative Tour’s players are still not cleared to compete at the event.
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Despite many PGA Tour players too sharing their support for the defectors such as Jon Rahm, the suspension of LIV Golf players still stands. Nonetheless, as the next Ryder Cup takes place in 2025 at Bethpage Black in New York, many changes may have occurred by then. Perhaps one of them could be the inclusion of the defectors.
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