In a statement to members early Thursday, the PGA Tour said that all current and prospective participants in the LIV Golf Invitational Series had been suspended indefinitely.

The announcement came less than a half-hour after the rival league began to play at the Centurion Club north of London on Thursday, with a 48-man lineup that included PGA Tour veterans like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Sergio Garcia.

Since the Tour announced on May 10 that it would not give conflicting-event releases for players interested in the upstart league, Commissioner Jay Monahan said the 17 members competing in the first LIV event are in breach of the Tour's tournament regulations. Monahan has made it clear to the players that he expects them to work hard.

Any Tour players who compete in future LIV series events will be suspended as well – Bryson DeChambeau is one of those who have committed to the second event, which takes place June 30-July 2 in Oregon. They will not be able to compete in this year's Presidents Cup.

Johnson and Garcia were among those who dropped out of the trip. As a result, they will be withdrawn from the FedExCup points standings and will no longer be eligible for sponsor exemptions as non-members.

Mickelson, who has lifetime Tour status after winning more than 20 events over 15 years, stated on Wednesday that he has no plans to retire. Mickelson's agent, Sportfive's Steve Loy, had no more comment on the Tour's suspension.

Only six of the 17 players suspended are now ranked in the top 125 in FedExCup points, and only one, Talor Gooch (No. 13), is currently rated in the top 40. Those players will also be ineligible for the Presidents Cup in September; Louis Oosthuizen, ranked fifth in the International rankings, was the sole member currently in a qualifying position.

"These players made decisions based on financial considerations," Monahan stated. "However, they are not entitled to the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, chances, or platform as you." Expectations like these disrespect you, our fans, and our partners. You had taken a different decision: to follow the tournament rules you agreed to when you achieved your goal.

Mickelson, Johnson, Garcia, Gooch, Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Matt Jones, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na, Andy Ogletree, Turk Pettit, Ian Poulter, Charl Schwartzel, Hudson Swafford, Peter Uihlein, and Lee Westwood are among the players who have been suspended.

LIV Golf, led by former world No. 1 Greg Norman and backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, issued its statement shortly after the Tour memo was revealed, calling the Tour's actions malicious and vowing that this is far from the end of the story.

The PGA Tour's declaration today is malicious, and it widens the chasm between the Tour and its members, according to the statement. It's concerning that the Tour, which is dedicated to providing opportunities for players to play, has made this decision.

This is by no means the last word on the subject. We are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London and beyond as the era of free agency begins.

The LIV's London event is the first of seven regular-season tournaments, each promising a 54-hole, no-cut event, a shotgun start, and a record $25 million purse, with a $4 million prize pool for the individual winner. The team tournament, which will take place later this fall, will have a prize pool of $50 million.