May 26, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Kevin Na plays a shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
(Reuters) - Kevin Na has resigned from the PGA Tour so he can play in a Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series event without the threat of punishment, the American golfer said on Saturday.
Na, ranked 33 in the world, is one of many golfers listed in the field for the June 9-11 event at Centurion Club outside London along with former world number one Dustin Johnson and former Masters champion Sergio Garcia.
The PGA Tour on Wednesday had reiterated a warning to members, saying those who do feature on the Saudi-funded breakaway circuit would be "subject to disciplinary action".
Na said he appreciated the PGA Tour for the opportunities they provided over 19 years but "recent developments in the professional golf world" had forced him to reconsider his options.
"I would like the freedom to play wherever I want and exercising my right as a free agent gives me that opportunity. However, to remain a PGA Tour player, I must give up my right to make these choices about my career," he wrote on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CeYxUfiratj/?hl=en.
"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 not one I take lightly. I hope the current policies changes and I'll be able to play on the PGA Tour again."
Both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour had declined all requests from members who had asked for releases to compete in the rival series. The event at Centurion has $25 million up for grabs -- including $4 million for the winner.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
