Par4QC Didn't realize PGA members had to 'ask' permission to play anywhere
From Els' Wiki page; there are a few other instances where players have been threatened with removal of PGA privileges (proposed world/Middle East tours) but in Els' case I think he just wanted to play different events on different tours.
Unlike most of his contemporaries, Els is known for his willingness to participate in tournaments all around the world, having played regularly in European Tour-sanctioned events in Asia, Australasia and his native country of South Africa. He says that his globe-trotting schedule is in recognition of the global nature of golf. This has caused some friction with the PGA Tour, an organisation that would prefer Els to play more tournaments in the United States. In late 2004, Tim Finchem, the director of the PGA Tour, wrote quite a firm letter to Els asking him to do so but Els publicized and rejected this request.[32] The PGA Tour's attitude caused considerable offense in the golfing world outside of North America.