The PGA Tour suspended 17 players, including Phil Mickelson (major championship winner) and Dustin Johnson (major champion), who were competing at the Saudi-backed LIV Golf event in London.

The players “did not receive the necessary conflicting event and media rights release — or did not apply for releases at all” and are suspended indefinitely, according to an internal PGA memo seen by NBC’s Golf Channel. According to the memo, any future players on tour who participate in LIV events will be suspended by the PGA.

The memo states that “these players made their decision for financial reasons.” But they cannot demand the same PGA TOUR member benefits, considerations or opportunities that you do.

LIV Golf called the decision “vindictive” in a statement and stated that it “deepens division between Tour members and Tour officials.”

It is troubling to see the Tour, an organisation that advocates for the enjoyment of golf, being the one preventing them from enjoying the sport. It is certainly not the end of this discussion. “The era is now of free agency, as we are pleased to have an entire field of players join us in London and elsewhere,” said the organization.

The complete list is here. An asterisk denotes players who have told the PGA previously that they intend to resign from their memberships.

• Sergio Garcia*
• Talor Gooch
• Branden Grace*
• Dustin Johnson*
• Matt Jones
• Martin Kaymer*
• Graeme McDowell*
• Phil Mickelson
• Kevin Na*
• Andy Ogletree
• Louis Oosthuizen*
• Turk Pettit*
• Ian Poulter
• Charl Schwartzel*
• Hudson Swafford
• Peter Uihlein
• Lee Westwood*

This is an ongoing story. Keep checking back for more updates.