RBC drops Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell as sponsors

DUBLIN, Ohio –

The primary Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational has Dustin Johnson and 12 different PGA Tour members as a part of its 48-man area subsequent week outdoors London. The subsequent transfer falls to the PGA Tour, which should resolve whether or not to permit them to return again.

The primary fallout after the rival league launched the names of gamers who will compete at its inaugural occasion got here Wednesday when the Royal Financial institution of Canada stated it was dropping Johnson and Graeme McDowell as company sponsors. Each are taking part in the LIV occasion, the identical week because the RBC Canadian Open on the PGA Tour.

“On account of the choices made by skilled golfers Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell to play the LIV Golf Invitational Sequence opener, RBC is terminating its sponsorship settlement with each gamers,” RBC stated in a press release. “We want them properly of their future endeavours.”

The PGA Tour’s solely remark was to say a Could 10 memo to gamers during which it denied releases for them to play the primary LIV occasion. “Members who violate the event laws are topic to disciplinary motion,” the assertion stated.

Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford have been among the many 42 gamers named on the sphere checklist (six different spots are being held for a particular invitation and from an Asian Tour sequence). Neither ever had extra consideration from media as they practiced Wednesday earlier than and after the pro-am on the Memorial.

Jones confirmed he obtained a signing bonus and is obligated to play a number of occasions among the many eight LIV occasions, every with US$25 million in prize cash and $4 million to the person winner. 5 of the tournaments are in the US.

The 41-year-old Australian, who’s No. 68 on the earth, stated it was a “good selection for me” for enterprise and household and what he hopes will develop the sport.

However he hasn’t given up on conserving his PGA Tour membership.

“My subsequent tour cease is … I do not know when it’s, to be sincere with you. We’ll see. We’ll discover out what occurs,” Jones stated. “I do not suppose banning gamers from taking part in on the PGA Tour as impartial contractors is excellent for golf. It isn’t an excellent search for anybody. I perceive the tour desires to guard their gamers and the product they’ve out right here, however I do not suppose that is a great way to go about it.”

The Each day Telegraph reported Wednesday that Johnson was supplied greater than $100 million simply to enroll in the league Greg Norman is working. Johnson has been closely recruited, and it was thought the courtship was over when he stated in February he was “absolutely dedicated” to the PGA Tour. He was the largest star on the checklist of 42 gamers.

Phil Mickelson, the chief recruiter of gamers till his inflammatory remarks concerning the Saudis and the PGA Tour brought about him to step away from golf, was not on the checklist. He nonetheless might be added to the sphere.

Swafford, a 44-year-old from Florida who has two younger kids and is ranked No. 91 on the earth, talked about the attraction of workforce golf as a part of the brand new league and fewer journey. He additionally needed to remain a part of the PGA Tour.

“Suspending gamers? That is not rising the sport of golf. That is what LIV is making an attempt to do — give extra alternatives to extra golfers,” Swafford stated. “I feel it will be an incredible factor. There’s going to be quite a lot of eyes on it. I am excited to play.”

Additionally within the area at Centurion Membership on June Sept. 11 is U.S. Beginner champion James Piot, who turned professional final week at Colonial. Piot has obtained exemptions to PGA Tour occasions from his U.S. Beginner win. Becoming a member of the LIV circuit gives immediate money — there was no point out how a lot they obtained — that might not be out there within the early days of making an attempt to make it on the PGA Tour.

“It is simply a possibility to play golf, a giant stage and journey the world. For me, it is a cool alternative as a 23-year-old to do what you like to do,” Piot stated, referring to it as a “golden ticket this summer season.”

The LIV area at the moment has 4 of the highest 50 on the earth — Johnson (13), Louis Oosthuizen (20), Kevin Na (33) and Talor Gooch (35) — and 16 of the highest 100.

Rory McIlroy described the sphere as not “something to leap up and down about,” significantly in contrast with the Memorial or the Canadian Open, which he referred to as “correct tournaments.”

However he additionally confirmed a softer facet for these eager to chase the massive cash.

“I definitely do not suppose they need to drop the hammer,” McIlroy stated. “Look, they’re properly inside their rights to implement the foundations and laws which have been set. It may find yourself being an argument about what these guidelines and laws are.”

The laws require a conflicting occasion launch to play outdoors the PGA Tour. The subsequent LIV occasion is the primary week in July in Oregon. The PGA Tour doesn’t grant releases for any event held in North America.

“Look, I’ve some very shut pals which might be taking part in on this occasion in London, and I definitely would not wish to stand of their option to, for them to do what they really feel is true for themselves,” McIlroy stated. “I definitely perceive why a number of the guys have went, and it is one thing that we’re all simply going to keep watch over and see what occurs over these subsequent few weeks.”