Kevin Na has announced he has resigned from the PGA Tour after 19 years amid his links to the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
On Saturday, the American released a statement via Twitter where he explained he was leaving the circuit to avoid legal battles arising from his commitment to play in LIV Golf’s events.
The 38-year-old is listed in the field to feature at the Saudi-backed rebel tour’s first tournament in Hertfordshire next week.
Na, along with the likes of Lee Westwood, Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter, will battle it out at the Centurion Club for a winners’ cheque worth over £3million – the biggest in professional golf.
He said: ‘For 19 years, I’ve played on the PGA Tour and I have loved every minute of it. I appreciate the platform the tour has provided me to play the game that I love and for the opportunities that have come with it.
‘Recent developments in the professional golf world have given me a chance to reconsider my options. I would like the freedom to play where 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. If I exercise my right to choose were 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 change and I’ll be able to play on the PGA Tour again.’
For months, the PGA Tour have warned of lifetime bans for players who feature in LIV Golf’s new series.
Their decision to deny Na’s release request to play in the rebel tour’s inaugural tournament has prompted the golfer’s decision to resign.
In nearly two decades on the PGA Tour, Na made over 450 appearances, winning five times, the most recent of which came at the 2021 Sony Open.
His resignation follows world No.13 Johnson’s decision to join up with LIV Golf earlier this week.
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