Former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau has change into the newest star to enroll to the insurgent LIV Golf collection, the organisers introduced on Friday. The 28-year-old American joins a clutch of fellow main winners together with Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson in becoming a member of the breakaway circuit, which is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. His unveiling, through the second spherical of the $25 million inaugural occasion close to London, got here 24 hours after the US PGA Tour mentioned any members who joined the rival collection could be banned.
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, who is anticipated to signal extra gamers forward of the second occasion in Portland, Oregon, beginning on June 30, welcomed the signing of the 2020 US Open champion.
“Bryson DeChambeau is an thrilling addition to LIV Golf’s supercharged model of play,” he mentioned.
“He’s passionate concerning the sport, revolutionary in his method and dedicated to pushing the boundaries in pursuit of excellence.
“He is not afraid to assume exterior the field and helps our mission of doing issues in another way to develop our sport.”
The choice marks a dramatic U-turn for DeChambeau, who in February dedicated himself to the US-based PGA Tour.
“Whereas there was numerous hypothesis surrounding my assist for one more tour, I wish to make it very clear that so long as the very best gamers on the earth are taking part in the PGA Tour, so will I,” DeChambeau wrote on the time.
That pledge got here after two-time main winner Johnson had additionally dedicated himself to the PGA Tour.
The signing of DeChambeau, at present ranked twenty eighth on the earth with 10 skilled victories underneath his belt, is a giant coup for the Saudi-backed collection.
Two-time main Martin Kaymer, who can also be taking part in on the LIV opener in St Albans, welcomed the arrival of the American.
“The extra the merrier,” he mentioned. “I feel it is nice clearly for the Tour and for us gamers that even higher gamers are popping out right here.”
Participant bans
However the American now faces exile from the PGA Tour together with 17 gamers who have been banned on Thursday, an inventory that included six-time main champion Mickelson and former world primary Johnson
Johnson was amongst a gaggle of gamers that additionally included Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen and Graeme McDowell who had resigned from the tour earlier than Thursday’s announcement.
Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter plans to enchantment towards the ban.
Johnson mentioned after the second spherical of the 54-hole event on the Centurion Membership on Friday that he had not spoken to anyone about taking authorized motion.
“At this level my plan is to play the LIV occasions and some majors and that is it,” mentioned the American.
He added: “That was the entire purpose — that was the entire purpose I began taking part in on LIV is to play much less golf, no more.”
America Golf Affiliation mentioned earlier this week that LIV gamers would have the ability to play in subsequent week’s US Open however the R&A, which runs the British Open, is but to remark.
The DP World Tour, previously the European Tour, has not but reacted.
On the course, former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel leads by three strokes from fellow South African Hennie du Plessis forward of Saturday’s ultimate spherical.
Organisers have pledged to “supercharge” golf, providing 54-hole tournaments with no cuts, simultaneous “shotgun begins” and a group aspect.
Gamers who’ve signed as much as the LIV collection have confronted powerful questions over Saudi Arabia’s human rights document and have been accused of greed in chasing the massive rewards on supply.
The eight LIV tournaments this yr are value a staggering $255 million, with plans in place to develop the collection over the approaching years.
Mickelson didn’t dispel rumours he was receiving a payment of $200 million to compete, whereas Johnson is reportedly getting $150 million.
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