PGA slams door on releases

The PGA Tour is denying releases to golfers who asked to play in the first of a series of Saudi-funded tournaments next month in England, a bold move by Commissioner Jay Monahan in trying to quash Greg Norman’s latest bid to start a lucrative rival league.

The first LIV Golf Invitational is scheduled for June 9-11 at Centurion Golf Club outside London, with a 48-man field competing for a $20 million purse over 54 holes. The winner gets $4 million — to date the richest prize in golf — and last place gets $120,000. The tour told the players who are seeking releases yesterday, and then notified all players of the decision in a short memo, which was obtained by the Associated Press.

While the names of players who have signed has not officially been released, Phil Mickelson has asked for a conflicting event release to the London event.

Lee Westwood confirmed last week he asked the PGA Tour and European tour for a release. The UK Daily Telegraph reported Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter also were among those who sought releases.