On Saturday, ahead of next week’s LIV Golf Invitational Series at the Centurion Club June 9-11, Kevin Na announced that he’d resigned as a member of the PGA Tour.
The 38-year-old Las Vegas native said he loved being part of the PGA Tour, but the money and lifestyle being offered by the LIV Golf tour was too much to pass up.
“Recent developments in the professional golf world have given me a chance to reconsider my options. I would like the freedom to play wherever I want and exercising my right as a free agent gives me that opportunity,” said Na in the statement posted to Twitter and Instagram.
“However to remain a PGA Tour player, I must give up my right to make choices about my career. If I exercise my right to choose where and when I play golf, then I cannot remain a PGA Tour player without facing disciplinary proceedings and legal action from the PGA Tour.
“I am sad to share that I have chosen to resign from the PGA Tour.
“This has not been an easy decision and now one I take lightly. I hope the current policies change and I’ll be able to play on the PGA Tour again.”
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has repeatedly threatened PGA Tour members with disciplinary action, including fines and suspensions.
By resigning his membership, however, Na cannot be fined or sued. He still had the remainder of the 2022 season, and all of 2023 left on his two-year exemption, earned after winning the 2021 Sony Open. He’s now no longer exempt into any PGA Tour-sanctioned events yet is still expected to play in the two remaining majors, the U.S. Open at Brookline, Mass. and The Open Championship at St. Andrews, which are not owned by the PGA Tour.
This was a very difficult decision for me. I hope my fans will continue to support me wherever I choose to play. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/3Vp2e7cPfH
— Kevin Na (@kevinna915) June 4, 2022
