Former world primary golfer Dustin Johnson confirmed on Tuesday he has resigned his membership of the US PGA Tour to play within the breakaway LIV Golf Invitational Sequence.
The choice successfully guidelines the American two-time main winner out of collaborating within the Ryder Cup, which pits america towards Europe each two years.
Johnson was talking at a press convention at Centurion Membership, close to London, forward of the opening occasion of the Saudi-backed sequence, which begins on Thursday.
The world quantity 15 mentioned in February he was dedicated to taking part in on the PGA Tour, which has refused releases for members to play in LIV Golf’s opener, which clashes with the Canadian Open.
However he has now stop, following an identical resolution by veteran US golfer Kevin Na, who can also be within the subject for the occasion in St Albans.
“I am very grateful to the PGA Tour and all the pieces that it is performed for me… however that is one thing I felt was finest for me and my household and I am very enthusiastic about taking part in,” mentioned Johnson.
The 37-year-old, who’s reportedly receiving $150 million in look charges to play within the sequence, mentioned it was tough to foretell the implications of his resolution.
“Proper now, I’ve resigned my membership from the Tour,” he added. “I will play right here for now and that is the plan.”
“The Ryder Cup is unbelievable and it is one thing that has positively meant lots to me,” added Johnson, who gained all 5 of his matches in america’ file 19-9 win over Europe at Whistling Straits final 12 months.
“I am proud to say that I’ve performed and represented my nation and hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to try this once more, however I do not make the foundations.”
The previous Masters and US Open champion mentioned he was exempt to play within the majors as a consequence of his file.
– Ryder Cup –
Graeme McDowell, whose Ryder Cup eligibility is tied to membership of the DP World Tour (European Tour) informed the press convention he had not felt the necessity to resign from the PGA Tour, though he admitted he didn’t wish to get entangled in a “authorized state of affairs” with the organisation. “The gamers which are right here this week have performed a large amount for the Ryder Cup product and it could be a disgrace to see these guys not invited again,” mentioned McDowell, who holed the successful putt at Celtic Manor in 2010. Six-time main winner Phil Mickelson confirmed on Monday he had additionally signed as much as play within the inaugural LIV occasion in a significant coup for the organisers.
Mickelson has not performed because the publication of feedback in February the place he criticised the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s Saudi backers.
Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter are additionally among the many 48-man subject for the $25 million occasion at Centurion Membership.
Gamers opting into LIV Golf have performed so regardless of PGA Tour warnings of disciplinary motion.
The DP World Tour has been extra opaque than the PGA Tour, saying it’s “evaluating every request on a case-by-case foundation”.
The LIV Golf Invitational Sequence, which includes eight tournaments this 12 months, is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Amnesty Worldwide has mentioned the sequence is an instance of Saudi Arabia trying to “sportswash” its human rights file.
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