Latest news with #WesleyBryan
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Wesley Bryan to appeal suspension from PGA Tour
Wesley Bryan to appeal suspension from PGA Tour Wesley Bryan said he plans to appeal his indefinite suspension on the PGA Tour. Bryan, who is a member of the Tour and former winner of the RBC Heritage in 2017, participated in a YouTube match with Grant Horvath and major champions such as Phil Mickelson. The match was associated with LIV Golf and shot during the Miami LIV event ahead of the Masters. The Tour deemed it an unauthorized event requiring a release, which was neither sought nor granted. 'We had to jump at that opportunity,' said Wesley, who teams with his brother George. The brothers have become one of the most popular golfers on YouTube. 'All we've ever wanted to do from the Bryan Bros. is merge professional golf and YouTube and this was one of those opportunities that we've been dreaming of since we got into YouTube golf.' Wesley noted that when he and his brother started their YouTube channel more than a decade ago, all they wanted to do was use it to fund their mini tour golf career in hopes of one day playing on the PGA Tour. But YouTube golf has exploded and as their followers have taken off, it has taken a larger priority in his life. 'It's been a very difficult road to navigate trying to balance playing competitively and creating content on YouTube,' Wesley said. 'We've been able to be part of something special in growing the YouTube community and I'm going to continue to do that,' he said in a video released on the Bryan Bros. various channels under the headline "I was suspended from the PGA Tour." 'Nothing but gratitude for the PGA Tour even amidst the little disagreement we have right now. I wanted to make sure the proper thank yous because again they've given us so much,' Wesley said. Nevertheless, Wesley, who played in the Tour's Creator Classic at TPC Sawgrass ahead of the Players Championship, said he plans to appeal his suspension, arguing that there's ambiguity in the rules as they were written. 'I don't think when the rule was written it was meant to cover content creation on YouTube," Wesley said. "I think it was meant to cover organized, professional, high-end golf events.'
Reuters
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Wesley Bryan to appeal suspension for participating in LIV event
April 23 - Wesley Bryan said Wednesday he plans to appeal his PGA Tour suspension for participating in an LIV Golf influencer event earlier this month. "It's been a difficult few weeks for us," Bryan said in a YouTube video. "It's been an emotional roller coaster for sure for everybody in this cart." Bryan, 35, appears in the video with his brother, George. Their "Bryan Bros Golf" YouTube channel, mostly featuring videos of trick shots, had more than 550,000 subscribers as of Wednesday. Bryan has made 134 starts on the PGA Tour, with his lone victory coming at the RBC Heritage in 2017. While building their online business, the Bryan brothers have participated in the PGA Tour's Creator Classic events for golf content creators. It was Wesley Bryan's participation in a similar format for PGA Tour rival LIV Golf that landed him in hot water. He confirmed in Wednesday's video that he was suspended after taking part in LIV's "The Duels" at Doral this month. Bryan, who called his indefinite suspension a "little disagreement" in the video, explained why he participated in the event at Doral. "We had to jump at that opportunity, because all we've ever wanted to do from the Bryan Bros is be able to merge professional and YouTube golf and this was going to be one of those opportunities we've been dreaming of since we got into YouTube golf," he said. According to Golf Digest, Bryan was warned that he could face a suspension if he participated. PGA Tour rules state that members participating in an LIV-backed event face a one-year ban. Bryan said he is appealing because "The Duels" was not a regular LIV event. "I want to be clear I do respect the authorities that are in place at the tour, but because of the ambiguity in the rules and regulations that were written, I do, as a member of the PGA Tour, have a right to appeal their decision of which I plan on exercising," he said. "And I don't feel like when the rule was written it was meant to cover content creation on YouTube. I feel like it was meant to cover organized, professional, high-level golf events."
Irish Daily Star
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Star
Phil Mickelson's PGA Tour apology demand, $1M accusation, message to Donald Trump's DOJ
Phil Mickelson's ongoing bitterness with the PGA Tour continued after Wesley Bryan was suspended for participating in an LIV Golf event. The Saudi-backed league introduced The Duels earlier this month, a fresh format that paired six pros with social media stars. Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Mickelson, and Bryan were among those teeing off . Bryan, who has rarely played on the PGA Tour recently, joined the fray as a content creator with a booming YouTube channel. Despite not actually holding a PGA Tour card, he was suspended by the organisation. A furious Mickelson took his grievance to the next level by involving Donald Trump's Department of Justice. He posted on social media: "Here's a question. Normally when an entity violates independent contract law, they deny that it happened and forces the contractor/individual to prove that it did. "In this case the PGA Tour blatantly admits they are illegally banning an independent contractor, so why doesn't they DOJ step in and enforce the law? Why does the individual have to sue to enforcer the law? DOJ do your f****** job!". The issue adds to the long list of criticisms Mickelson has hurled at the PGA Tour, which dates back to before he even left for LIV Golf... Mickelson was left furious by Wesley Bryan's suspension (Image: Getty) ' Gree dy' accusation Speaking to Golf Digest in early 2022, Mickelson branded the PGA Tour "greedy" as he aired his long-held unhappiness over media rights. He said: "There are many issues, but that is one of the biggest. "For me, personally, it's not enough that they are sitting on hundreds of millions of digital moments. They also have access to my shots, access I do not have. "They also charge companies to use shots I have hit. And when I did 'The Match' - there have been five of them - the tour forced me to pay them $1 million each time. For my own media rights. That type of greed is, to me, beyond obnoxious." In the same interview, he claimed the Tour were in charge of "roughly $20 billion" in media assets and "hundreds of millions of digital moments" that should belong to the players. Mickelson was complaining about the PGA Tour even before leaving for LIV (Image:) The PGA Tour hit back, challenging the accuracy of Mickelson's statements, with an unnamed executive telling that the majority of players were content. They said: "I've never seen anybody be really interested in how we generate the money. "There's some conversation about it now because, you know, Phil's making stuff up that's just not true. But in general, they're happy that there's a lot of money that comes from it." Rebutting Mickelson's assertions on player revenues, the Tour disclosed that the players receive a significant portion of its earnings, aligning with other major sports organizations: more than 50 per cent of its annual revenue approximating $1.5BN is allocated to the players. Monahan slammed Mickelson has been open about his thoughts on Jay Monahan. In November 2023, he reacted to speculation that the PGA Tour commissioner would be removed from his post if and when a deal between the Tour and LIV's backers was finalised. Mickelson declared on social media that "golf is in this situation entirely because of [Monahan]." He also said that the Tour boss was "losing trust with his players" and that "there's no unity or path forward with [Monahan] involved in my opinion as well." Jay Monahan has been slammed by Mickelson (Image: Getty) '$1billion peace offer' Mickelson went on to disclose details about a proposed $1BN for "eight elevated events" which he had put to the Tour prior to jumping ship to LIV Golf. He detailed: "Before I left I brought a $1 billion commitment from a current PGA Tour partner to have 8 elevated events and give equity and ownership in these events to the players. JM's quote was: 'I don't believe the league is going to happen so we won't be doing that'. No vote, no discussion." Apology demand A year into golf's civil war, Mickelson insisted he and other LIV players should receive an apology from the PGA Tour. This followed a leaked memo insinuating that Mickelson and his fellow outspoken dissenters would receive harsher treatment than other defectors - should they return to the tour. Mickelson said: "What a colossal waste of time. Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour. It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to Clout media to disparage all of us. A better topic is future sanctions for the many players who now come to LIV." Tiger Woods snub With tensions between the tours reaching a peak in the summer of 2022, Tiger Woods reportedly blocked Mickelson from a private dinner for past champions before the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews. The bombshell was dropped in Alan Shipnuck's book, 'LIV and Let Die'. An unnamed source claimed: "He [Woods] talked to a handful of other [past champions] to get their blessing and then went to the R&A and told them, basically, no one wanted Phil there and it would make the night weird and awkward. Whose side were they going to take, Tiger's or Phil's? That's an easy choice." Tiger Woods allegedly blocked Mickelson from a private dinner at The Open (Image: PGA TOUR via Getty Images) Still talking up LIV Mickelson continues to champion LIV Golf as the sport's future. Earlier this year, he praised the family-friendly atmosphere on The Joe Pomp Show. He said: "You go to a LIV event, you feel different. "Here's why: You have music going when you're out on the course. We don't hear little people saying stuff." "So you're not as anxious about having your kids be quiet. There's a fan zone like on the course where you can sit down, take a break, grab some drinks. It's like a little hang. You can take a nap. "They have a kid zone by the clubhouse where, again, you can take a nap, play putt-putt, play games for them and entertain them with a big screen so you can still see what's going on with the golf. "So when you go there, you feel calm. You feel comfortable. It's like, 'OK, our kids had a great time. I was relaxed. I wasn't worried'. I think that's the number one reason why LIV is going to be successful."
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
PGA Tour pro Wesley Bryan suspended for playing in LIV golf-backed YouTube event
Wesley Bryan hits a tee shot during the LIV Golf-backed event called "The Duels: Miami" on April 3, 2025. The PGA Tour has suspended Wesley Bryan for playing in a LIV Golf-backed event two weeks ago. The tour has not commented, though Bryan told the website Monday Q, which first reported the suspension, that he doesn't know how long it will last and indicated that he would follow the tour's appeals process. Advertisement Bryan, 35, is attending but not competing this week in the Corales Puntacana Championship in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where he finished second last year to Billy Horschel. It is on the schedule opposite the RBC Heritage, which Bryan won in 2017 in his native South Carolina for his lone PGA Tour victory. He no longer has full tour status and has played in three events in 2025 as recently as March, missing two cuts — the exception a tie for 25th at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. Bryan is 169th in the FedExCup standings (31 points) with $75,068 in official earnings. He and his brother, George, have become popular for creating content on a YouTube channel, with videos featuring trick shots. Wesley Bryan participated in two PGA Tour influencer events in the past year, including in March, Golf Digest reported. Advertisement The Bryan brothers competed in a similar event run by LIV Golf — a rival to the PGA Tour — the week before the Masters at Doral called 'The Duels: Miami.' George Bryan and partner Sergio Garcia of the LIV tour won the nine-hole scramble on the first playoff hole. Wesley Bryan hits a tee shot during the LIV Golf-backed event called 'The Duels: Miami' on April 3, 2025. Getty Images The event, featuring six LIV golfers and six YouTube creators, had a $250,000 purse and was streamed on Grant Horvat's YouTube channel. All of the creators were informed through a third party there could be disciplinary action from the PGA Tour, according to the Monday Q report. Only Wesley Bryan was suspended, per the report, on the day after The Duels went live on Horvat's channel. Advertisement Bryan told Monday Q that he doesn't regret playing in The Duels. 'That video is one of the most powerful videos in YouTube golf.' Bryan said. 'We are going to continue to support Grant and grow the game through YouTube.' He also showed gratitude for his career on the PGA Tour. 'For the last eight or nine years, the opportunities have been amazing,' Bryan said. 'I'm extremely grateful to the Tour for that. I don't want this to be the end of my professional golf career.' Bryan has made 68 cuts in 134 career PGA Tour events, with five top-five finishes and nine top-10 finishes. A native of Columbia, S.C., who played at the University of South Carolina, Bryan turned professional in 2012, joined the tour in 2017 and has earned $5,247,630 in official money, per the tour.
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Wesley Bryan suspended by PGA tour for LIV-backed event participation
PGA Tour suspended Wesley Bryan for his participation in a LIV Golf-backed event held just weeks ago. Bryan, who was informed of the suspension through Monday Q, intends to appeal the decision and expressed his continued support for the game's growth. The suspension, confirmed by Bryan to the golf website Monday Q, comes as a result of his involvement in "The Duels: Miami," an influencer event run by LIV Golf, which was held the week before the Masters. While the PGA Tour has yet to comment on the suspension, Bryan stated that he was not informed about the duration of his ban. He has expressed his intent to appeal the decision through the tour's formal process. Bryan, 35, is currently attending the PGA Tour's Corales Puntacana Championship in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, but is not competing this week. He had previously finished second in the event last year, behind Billy Horschel. The tournament is being played opposite the RBC Heritage, where Bryan claimed his sole PGA Tour victory in 2017 in his home state of South Carolina. Although Bryan no longer holds full PGA Tour status, he has participated in three events this season, including a tie for 25th at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. However, he has since missed two cuts and currently sits 169th in the FedExCup standings, with $75,068 in official earnings this year. In addition to his golf career, Bryan and his brother George have become well-known YouTube personalities, creating viral videos featuring trick shots. Wesley Bryan also participated in two PGA Tour influencer events in 2025, including one in March. The brothers joined LIV Golf's "The Duels: Miami" event, which featured six LIV golfers and six popular YouTube creators. George Bryan, alongside Sergio Garcia, triumphed in the nine-hole scramble on the first playoff hole, earning part of a $250,000 purse. Despite the disciplinary action, Bryan has expressed no regrets about his participation in the event, calling the video from The Duels: Miami one of the most powerful in YouTube golf. "We are going to continue to support Grant and grow the game through YouTube," he said. Bryan also voiced his gratitude for the opportunities provided by the PGA Tour, acknowledging his career with the organization over the past eight years. 'I'm extremely grateful to the Tour for that. I don't want this to be the end of my professional golf career," Bryan added. Throughout his career, Bryan has made 68 cuts in 134 PGA Tour events, securing five top-five finishes and nine top-10 finishes. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he turned professional in 2012 and joined the PGA Tour in 2017. Bryan has earned $5,247,630 in career prize money.
