17 Pro Golfers Who Were Banned from the PGA Tour

The world of professional golf has been buzzing with activity since the emergence of the LIV Golf series, which has disrupted the traditional landscape of the sport. Many renowned golfers have made the noteworthy switch from established tours like the PGA and European Tours to the Saudi-funded league, often facing controversies and significant penalties as a result.

This article delves into the stories of high-profile golfers who have been impacted by this seismic shift, highlighting their journeys, challenges, and aspirations within the evolving world of golf.

17. Sergio Garcia

Sergio Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, has rejoined the DP World Tour after paying substantial fines exceeding $1 million for joining LIV Golf in 2022. He will serve suspensions before competing on the DP World Tour in 2025, aiming for his 11th European Ryder Cup appearance. In order to compete, he will need to perform well and be selected by the team captain.

16. Talor Gooch

Talor Gooch, a former PGA Tour player, joined LIV Golf in May 2022. He has since won three LIV events, including the LIV Golf Adelaide and LIV Golf Andalucía. Gooch also claimed the 2023 LIV Golf League’s individual season points title, earning an $18 million bonus.

14. Dustin Johnson

Dustin Johnson, a two-time major champion, left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in 2022. His performance in major tournaments has since declined, including missing the cut at both the 2024 Masters and the 2024 U.S. Open. Johnson now captains the 4Aces GC in the LIV Golf League, where he continues to compete at a high level, winning the LIV Golf Las Vegas event in 2024. He recently strengthened his team by signing former European Ryder Cup player Thomas Pieters.

13. Matt Jones

Matt Jones, an Australian professional golfer, was among 11 LIV Golf players who filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour in August 2022. Jones was suspended by the PGA Tour on June 9, 2022, along with 16 other players, for participating in the inaugural LIV Golf event without obtaining a conflicting-event release. In May 2023, Jones withdrew his name from the lawsuit, effectively ending his involvement in the legal action against the PGA Tour.

12. Martin Kaymer

Martin Kaymer, a two-time Major winner and former World No.1, was suspended by the PGA Tour for participating in the LIV Golf International Series. He expressed confusion over the lack of dialogue between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, stating that “no tour owns golf” and hoping for a collaborative solution.

11. Graeme McDowell

Graeme McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, was suspended by LIV Golf for violating the league’s anti-doping policy. He was fined $125,000 and missed one tournament after using a decongestant containing the banned substance R-methamphetamine (levo-methamphetamine).

10. Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson, a six-time major winner, left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in 2022, sparking controversy. Despite a potential path back to the PGA Tour following negotiations with LIV Golf’s financial backers, Mickelson has expressed satisfaction with his position on the breakaway circuit and has no desire to return.

9. Kevin Na

Kevin Na resigned from the PGA Tour in June 2022 to join the Saudi-funded LIV Invitational Series. He cited “disciplinary proceedings and legal action” from the PGA Tour as the reason for his resignation, stating he wanted the freedom to play wherever he chose.

8. Andy Ogletree

Andy Ogletree, the 2019 U.S. Amateur champion, was suspended by the PGA Tour for participating in the first LIV Golf event in London. Interestingly, he wasn’t an official PGA Tour member at the time. Despite never making another LIV start, he was barred from Korn Ferry Tour events and Q-School through 2022. Ogletree has since found a home on the Asian Tour.

7. Louis Oosthuizen

Louis Oosthuizen, a South African golfer, was among those suspended by the PGA Tour for participating in the LIV Golf Series. Despite resigning his PGA Tour membership before joining LIV, he was deemed ineligible for the Presidents Cup due to infractions prior to his resignation. Oosthuizen called the PGA’s decision “a bit of a punch in the gut.”

6. Turk Pettit

Turk Pettit, a former LIV Golf player, was suspended from the PGA Tour after participating in LIV events. His suspension expired on October 17, 2023, allowing him to enter the 2024 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. Pettit is attempting to become the first former LIV Golf player to regain PGA Tour playing privileges.

5. Ian Poulter

Ian Poulter, a prominent figure in LIV Golf, has been at the center of discussions about unification in professional golf. Poulter emphasizes the need for collaboration and compromise among all parties to achieve unity in the sport. Despite ongoing talks, a deal to merge LIV Golf with other leading tours is unlikely before 2028.

4. Charl Schwartzel

Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, was among the first to join LIV Golf, resigning his PGA Tour membership. He won the inaugural LIV Golf event in 2022, earning $4.75 million. Schwartzel’s decision to join LIV Golf led to his suspension from PGA Tour events.

3. Hudson Swafford

Hudson Swafford, a 37-year-old American golfer, was among the 17 players suspended by the PGA Tour in June 2022 for participating in the LIV Golf Invitational Series. Despite expressing his desire to return to the PGA Tour, Swafford has been unable to get a clear path back due to the Tour’s hard stance on suspensions. He has been relegated from LIV Golf after a poor 2024 season and is seeking opportunities on the Asian Tour’s International Series.

2. Peter Uihlein

Peter Uihlein, a professional golfer, was among the 17 players suspended by the PGA Tour for participating in the LIV Golf International Series. Uihlein, who did not resign his PGA Tour membership, was banned from competing in PGA Tour events and the Presidents Cup. This decision was part of the PGA Tour’s broader move to penalize players who joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour without obtaining the necessary releases.

1. Lee Westwood

Lee Westwood, a renowned English golfer, was suspended from the PGA Tour in June 2022 for participating in a LIV Golf event. He had previously resigned his PGA Tour membership and later also resigned from the European Tour in May 2023. Westwood’s decision to join LIV Golf was financially motivated, leading to his exclusion from PGA Tour events.

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