But there’s a difference between playing non-PGA events and being BANNED from PGA events. Top end players often pick and choose their non-majors (ie PGA events) to not be fatigued for the majors. And because the PGA doesn’t control the majors they have to have a cordial relationship with non-PGA events. And in the past that has extended to other tours, players can generally do European and Asian events. You see this most often with English golfers who are generally on the tour over there but also come over for PGA. But for whatever reason the PGA has decided the LIV is the exception. No cordial relationship there, anybody that signs onto the LIV can’t play in PGA events. But we know from the “Tiger bump” a lot of golf viewership is people wanting to see certain players, not really the event itself. You ban enough of these players people want to see ratings will bottom out.
Playing in other LIV tour events in the USA is a different situation.
I don’t know anyone who watches to see Michelson’s gafs, DJs stony stoic demeanor and trailing performance, or that last issue with most all the other 17 joining the LIV. PGA is not going to lose viewership over the loss of those guys.
Why are the Saudis doing this.
Little Dubai.
Little Dubai beat the stumblebum Saudis in golf as a business. They got themselves on the European PGA tour circuit (NOT a third league), and even have a Race To Dubai season long rankings and final play, as part of the European tour; and because of the agreements between the PGA and the European PGA. American PGA golfers can play in the Race to Dubai. The Saudis have watched thia and said to themselves - “look what that f,,,,ing litle Dubai has done”.
So the Saudis, trying not be outdone, are out buying golfers. They offered Tiger a billion and he turned them down. Good for him.