The PGA Tour has fired a warning shot at its members contemplating a future on LIV Golf after the breakaway circuit confirmed plans to stage its 2026 Promotions event in Florida — a move that could land players in serious hot water.
As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, LIV Golf’s decision to hold its Promotions tournament at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida, from 8–11 January 2026, means it will be “deemed an unauthorized event by the PGA Tour.”
In plain terms, it means any player with PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, or Korn Ferry Tour status who takes part at LIV Promotions will not be granted a media release and therefore face disciplinary action if they compete.
The PGA Tour’s latest warning will more than likely make its members think twice about teeing it up at the 2026 LIV Golf Promotions in January. Unless they’re feeling particularly confident in their games, of course…
LIV Golf announced on Monday a new Florida venue for its Promotions tournament, while also confirming the event will now see two players, instead of one, earn spots on the 2026 LIV Golf League.
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Then just 24 hours later, the league revealed a shock switch to a 72-hole format from next season — matching the PGA Tour and DP World Tour setup.
That change is designed to boost LIV’s hopes of finally securing Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, something its players have been chasing since 2022.
But back to the top of the story, and the PGA Tour’s current big problem with LIV Golf isn’t about number of holes — but geography.
It’s been this way since the start, though.
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“The issue for the [PGA] Tour is the [LIV Golf Promotions] tournament site being in North America,” writes Harig of Sports Illustrated.
“The Tour’s regulations state that players will not be granted conflicting events or media releases for tournaments staged in North America.”
Harig adds: “The North America event rule has been an issue going back to LIV’s inaugural season in 2022, when players with PGA Tour status were seeking starts in what was then an individual series of tournaments.
“LIV’s second tournament was in Portland, Ore., and no player was going to be granted a release for any of the events played in the United States.”
That long-standing rule has once again come into play ahead of LIV Golf Promotions.
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Members of the PGA Tour setup won’t be cleared to compete in any LIV event on North American soil, meaning January’s four-round event is completely off-limits for those tied to the circuit.
And the sanctions don’t stop there…
In another warning shot, the PGA Tour has also confirmed non-members, including players trying to break through via PGA Tour Americas, will be hit with a one-year ban from any PGA Tour-sanctioned competition if they decide to enter the LIV qualifier.
It’s the first time the LIV Promotions event has been held in North America, having previously visited Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia where players could simply apply for official releases without fear of penalty.
Despite the controversy, the 2026 LIV Golf Promotions remains a high-stakes gateway into the Saudi-backed league.
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The event boasts a $1.5 million purse, paying $200,000 to the winner and $150,000 to the runner-up, but the real prize is one of two LIV Golf League cards for 2026.
Those who finish inside the top 10 will also secure full status on the Asian Tour’s International Series next season, another major route into the LIV setup.
Combined, the Promotions event and International Series will send four players into the LIV Golf League next year — with the 2026 season set to kick off under the lights in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in early February.
The PGA Tour’s latest statement once again underlines the ongoing tension between the two golf giants.
While LIV Golf continues to grow its footprint – and format – the PGA Tour is making it crystal clear that playing both sides still comes at a heavy cost.
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Another flashpoint in golf’s civil war — and this time, it’s Florida caught in the crossfire.
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