Report: PGA Tour player REFUSED Saudi International release

PGA Tour player Jhonattan Vegas was reportedly denied a waiver to participate in the forthcoming Saudi International. 

According to Handicap54, Vegas had asked to compete in the event that is now under the banner of the Asian Tour.

The Venezuelan has played in the previous two editions of the Saudi International, which carries a prize purse of $5m. 

Related: Three PGA Tour stars given green light for Saudi International

Players who also compete in the event are also beckoned to the kingdom by the lucrative appearance fees. 

The tournament will take place over 2-5 February at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah. 

A number of LIV Golf players are scheduled to tee it up in the flagship event. 

LIV's marquee signing Cameron Smith was one of the first players to commit to the event. 

But now the field is looking increasingly stacked with the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson scheduled to tee it up. 

Johnson - who mopped up bundles of cash in 2022 with LIV - is a two-time champion of the Saudi International. 

Patrick Reed - who was this week trolled with Star Wars references - is also in the field. 

The Asian Tour also receives funding from the Saudi wealth fund - PIF - that finances the breakaway LIV Golf League. 

Previously, the Saudi International was sanctioned by the European Tour. The tournament conflicts with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 

Last February, the PGA Tour granted releases to members wanting to play subject to varying conditions. 

Players were asked to commit to Pebble Beach going forward, depending on the number of appearances in Saudi Arabia. 

 

 

 

 

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No players have been granted releases to play in LIV Golf League events. The PGA Tour indefinitely suspended those who did. 

According to Golfweek, the PGA Tour's reigning rookie of the year, Cameron Young, as well as Cameron Champ and Lucas Herbert were granted releases to play in the forthcoming Saudi International. 

Earlier in the month PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said they had granted every request to participate in the Saudi International. 

Speaking to the media at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, Monahan explained: 

Monahan also made this claim in relation to Tiger Woods and the 2023 Player Impact Program. 

Next page: LIV Golf pro confident he will be able to return to PGA Tour