Kevin Na announced on Saturday that he has resigned from the PGA Tour.
Na, who is listed in next week’s LIV Golf Invitational field, took to social media to announce his association with the Saudi-backed series had led him to quit the tour.
“For 19 years, I’ve played on the PGA Tour and I have loved every minute of it,” Na wrote. “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.”
Na, 38, has made over 450 career starts and won five times on the PGA Tour, most recently at the 2021 Sony Open. At No. 33 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Na is one of the higher-ranked players to align with LIV Golf.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has promised that any tour member who competes in an event on the rival league would face suspension from the PGA Tour and possibly a lifetime ban. The tour denied conflicting-event releases to all tour members who requested to compete in LIV Golf’s inaugural event.