Former Maclay golfer Swafford among PGA players entered in LIV Golf Invitational Series opener

Hudson Swafford understands he could be jeopardizing his standing on the PGA Tour by committing to next week’s LIV Golf Invitational Series in London.

However, the former Maclay golfer and three-time PGA winner also likes that the LIV Series – the big money rival to the PGA - could afford him more time with his family.

He’s also intrigued by the event’s team competition.

“Schedule is very enticing to a guy who has two small kids,” Swafford, 34, told Golf Digest Wednesday, prior to the start of the pro-am at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

“I think the format, the team aspect, is going to be incredible. Look at Zurich (the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which is a two-man team event), putting teams together turned an event that was in a tough part of the schedule into one that gets some incredible fields.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how that works.”

SWAFFORD COVERAGE

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SWAFFORD, OTHERS COULD FACE PUNISHMENT

More than a dozen PGA Tour players, including two-time major champion Dustin Johnson, are included in the field for the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event at the Centurion Club. The event coincides with the PGA's Canadian Open in Ontario.

The controversial Saudi-backed rival golf tour reportedly paid Johnson around $125 million to join their series, according to London-based The Daily Telegraph.

The PGA Tour released a statement on Wednesday reiterating its position on players competing in the LIV Series. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has told players that they will face discipline, including potential suspensions and/or lifetime bans, by competing in the breakaway tour.

“As communicated to our entire membership on May 10, PGA TOUR members have not been authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event, under PGA TOUR Tournament Regulations. Members who violate the Tournament Regulations are subject to disciplinary action.”

Swafford is currently 42nd in the FedEx Cup standings and has won more than $9.65 million in his nine years on the tour. In January, he captured his third PGA Tour victory when he won The American Express for the second time in five years. Swafford and wife Katherine have two young children.

And for his future on the PGA tour?

“We’ll have to see how that all works out,” said Swafford, who played collegiate golf at the University of Georgia and is a St. Simons Island, Georgia, residence. “But I think a lot of guys out here understand that we all have to do what’s best for each of us.”

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: PGA golfer and former Maclay star Hudson Swafford enters LIV Golf Series