If You Need a Sign That the PGA Tour and LIV Golf Remain Rivals, Here It Is
The PGA Tour will not grant releases to any members who compete in the LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida. LIV Golf officials likely chose Florida’s Black Diamond Resort to host the qualifying event from January 8-11 hoping to make participation more appealing to PGA Tour professionals, as the top two finishers earn LIV membership for 2026.
However, this decision poses issues for players who are members of the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, or PGA Tour Americas. Golf Digest confirmed, following Sports Illustrated’s initial report, that the PGA Tour will refuse conflicting event or media rights releases for any tour member participating in the LIV Golf Promotions event.
“Because the LIV event is being played in North America, under PGA Tour regulations it is defined as an unauthorized event. Any tour member who competes in it is subject to disciplinary action,”
said a PGA Tour spokesperson.
Furthermore, PGA Tour regulations state that any non-member competing in the LIV Golf Promotions event will face a one-year ban from playing in PGA Tour-sanctioned events, including Monday qualifiers and sponsor’s exemptions.
This announcement comes a day after LIV Golf revealed its plans for the third edition of the LIV Golf Promotions event.
Author's summary: The PGA Tour strictly enforces rules against players participating in the LIV Golf Promotions event, treating it as unauthorized and threatening disciplinary action to maintain its competitive stance.