Arr! These scurvy dogs, them professional golfers, be walkin' the plank fer gamblin' on PGA Tour events!
2023-10-27
Avast ye! 'Tis with a heavy heart that I share this news: Vince India and Jake Staiano, scurvy dogs of the Korn Ferry Tour, be in deep waters! 'Twas discovered they wagered their pieces of eight on PGA events. The tour be suspending the landlubbers!
In a light-hearted 17th-century pirate language, it has been announced that two professional golfers have been suspended for their involvement in gambling on PGA events. Ahoy! Vince India and Jake Staiano of the Korn Ferry Tour were officially suspended last month. India will face a six-month suspension until March 17, while Staiano's suspension will last until December 10. The PGA Tour made it clear that neither golfer placed bets on events in which they participated.India, a 34-year-old golfer, joined the Korn Ferry Tour in 2015 and has participated in a total of 176 events. He has earned $662,823 throughout his career. Staiano, 26, has played in 17 events on the Korn Ferry Tour, earning $30,910. He made the cut in three out of eight events this year, with a T-19 finish at the BMW Charity Pro-Am.
This announcement follows another suspension in professional sports, as Ottawa Senators' Shane Pinto was suspended for 41 games by the NHL for activities related to sports wagering. However, like India and Staiano, no evidence was found that Pinto had bet on games in which he played.
Other professional athletes have also faced suspensions for gambling-related activities. Calvin Ridley, a wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, missed the entire 2022 season due to gambling. Members of the Detroit Lions, including receiver Jameson Williams, have also received suspensions of varying lengths. However, no punishments have been handed out in the NBA and MLB since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized sports gambling in 2018.
Arrr, it seems that gambling has put these athletes in hot water, but let's hope they learn their lesson and return to the sport soon. Yo-ho-ho!
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)