While we’re all itching with anticipation to see a showdown between the PGA Tour’s finest and their LIV Golf rivals at the Masters, it seems we now won’t have to wait quite as long to see several stars from each side square up against another as Augusta looms.
That’s because according to a report from Golf Channel, the PGA Tour have granted a number of player releases for the conflicting PIF Saudi International in February.
Now on the Asian Tour and sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund – the bankrollers of LIV Golf – the tournament will see a “few” players from Jay Monahan’s circuit in the field at Royal Greens Golf Club. This is despite the event clashing with the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am that same weekend.
While the source did not specify which PGA Tour players or exactly how many will be attendance, a fresh report from Golfweek now claims Cameron Young, Lucas Herbert and Cameron Champ are among the members who have obtained waivers to compete in Saudi Arabia.
Crowned PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2022, Young’s name was heavily linked to LIV last summer before The Open runner-up announced he was staying put on the American circuit after the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
With three players reportedly granted permission to play already, a quick glance at the 2022 PIF Saudi International field also shows that 30 players from the PGA Tour were granted permission to play in the event last year.
This was mostly made up of players who have now defected to LIV – and have subsequently been banned from competing on the PGA Tour – including champion Harold Varner III, as well as the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson, among others.
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But the field also included some key men within the PGA Tour’s current membership, such as Tony Finau, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele and Tyrrell Hatton.
Per the initial report, those cleared to play are also set to receive substantial appearance fees, with some as high as seven figures in a tournament which already boasts a $5 million purse.
The Saudi International was previously sanctioned by the DP World Tour from its inception in 2019 up until 2022 when it became the Asian Tour’s flagship event – the same circuit which has now aligned with LIV Golf.
The 2023 PIF Saudi International will be held from February 2-5 at Royal Greens Golf Club in King Abdullah Economic City.
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