The PGA Tour was questioned on Tuesday by international captain Trevor Immelman about why Louis Oosthuizen, who quit his membership before it was revealed that he had joined LIV Golf, could not be a member of his team for this week’s Presidents Cup.
Oosthuizen, who participated in the previous four Presidents Cups, had thought that by leaving the PGA Tour—which oversees the Presidents Cup—he would still be able to compete in the match-play competition at Quail Hollow Club.
Members who participated in LIV Golf tournaments have been barred from competing on the PGA Tour, and the organisation has warned that anybody else who makes the switch would suffer the same consequences.
Immelman, whose squad has been severely impacted by LIV Golf defectors, asked Oosthuizen for an explanation since there is no regulation stating that a player must be a member of the PGA Tour in order to be on the International team at the match-play tournament.
Immelman told reporters at Quail Hollow Club, “My understanding is that he made certain declarations and allowed himself to be utilised in other marketing efforts and announcements after he was not granted the release from the PGA Tour.
And he carried out all of those actions prior to his membership resignation. Therefore, there were still specific violations there.
Oosthuizen’s agents have been approached by Reuters for comment.
Immelman acknowledged that he was unhappy to have lost important players because of their desire to join LIV Golf, but he insisted that he was not taken by surprise by their actions and that they kept him informed at every stage of their decision-making.
From the beginning of this process, “every single participant I talked to understood precisely what the scenario and the repercussions were going to be,” said Immelman.
And they were aware that some choices they made would make it very improbable that they would be able to represent the international squad.
“So that influenced their decision-making, Everyone was aware of their position since all of the cards were on the table.