Sanctions and sportswashing – The key questions as golf’s rebel series kicks off
The likes of Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson will compete at Centurion Club.
The first LIV Golf Invitational Series event gets under way at Centurion Club on Thursday, with six-time major winner Phil Mickelson the star attraction.
The controversial tournaments have dominated the agenda in recent months, creating a split between those happy to take the Saudi money and the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who have pledged their loyalty to the PGA Tour.
Here, the PA news agency looks at what could happen next in the divisive saga.
Will players face sanctions for competing in the LIV events?
What will the sanctions be?
What about the majors?
The USGA announced on Tuesday that it would not prevent the likes of Mickelson and Johnson from playing in next week’s US Open, saying it would not be “appropriate, nor fair to competitors,” to change the entry criteria once established. The R&A is expected to take the same approach regarding July’s Open Championship, but the USGA statement did not address what may happen in the future and stressed that its decision “should not be construed as the USGA supporting an alternative organizing entity, nor supportive of any individual player actions or comments”.
Will the LIV Golf events be a success?
Underwhelming sales appeared to lead to several players being asked to offer free tickets on their social media platforms over the weekend, while journalists covering the event have also been offered three guest passes each. There is no network television deal currently in place and the first event will be broadcast on YouTube and Facebook, but Ian Poulter believes other players will be watching with interest, especially when the winner’s cheque for USD 4million (£3.2million) is handed out on Saturday.
