Golfers facing sanctions

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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DeChambeau and Johnson among top golfers facing sanctions from PGA Tour and DP World Tour over playing Saudi International.

2022 Saudi International scheduled to take place from 3rd to 6th February

Players could be fined or suspended if they choose to play in unsanctioned tournaments.

PGA Tour says decision on conflicting-event releases can be made ‘up until 30 days’ before first round

25 of golf’s biggest names have committed to play the 2022 Saudi Invitational, potentially placing them on a collision course with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson, Tommy Fleetwood, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Bryson DeChambeau are among the players scheduled to compete in the (US$5 million) Asian Tour event from 3rd to 6th February.

The PGA Tour said in July that it would not grant players the required releases to play in ‘unsanctioned events’, with the DP World Tour – which signed a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour a year ago – expected to follow suit.

Saudi PIF backs Asian Tour with US$200m investment

That could lead to players being fined or even suspended if they opt to play at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Jeddah or in other Asian Tour events.

On 29th November the PGA Tour said in a statement: ‘We have not granted any conflicting-event releases for the Saudi International tournament.

‘Per PGA Tour regulations, a decision on conflicting-event releases can be made up until 30 days before the event’s first round.’

The Saudi International was previously on the European Tour but is now the flagship event on the Asian Tour, which is also launching ten new events spearheaded by former world number one Greg Norman and backed by US$200 million from the Saudi government’s Private Investment Fund (PIF).

The DP World Tour declined to comment on the issue when contacted by the PA news agency.