Sneakylong The former would be true if Elon Musk decided to start his own Golf Tour and compete with the PGA Tour. I would suspect the PGA Tour would react the same way.
Of course they would have. The "morality" issue is a smokescreen. The PGA had no problem issuing releases to play in the Saudi Invitational or their Pro-Am in the past (or other ME sites with questionable human rights reps). Their moral compass only became engaged when confronted by a competing league.
There may appear to be two issues at play here ... but I think that's only from an outsiders perspective (cultivated by PGA controlled, or dependent, media - aka "stooges" 
).
For the players jumping ship - yes, of course, it's all about the money (99.82%). But that was true for them when they joined the PGA as well. Were they all sellouts then, too, for not pursuing golf history as an amateur? Or staying on the Euro/Asian/whatever tour? I have no problem with their chasing money ... nor should the PGA, as that is behind their position/decision too.
I kind of wish, for curiosity alone, there were more names, and bigger names, than the 17 suspended - to weaken the PGA's stranglehold as the preeminent tour. Maybe that will happen eventually? But, IMO, nothing will change until then. The number and quality of player's they've lost so far are the equivalent of blowing the head off a mug of beer. 
