Dustin Johnson headlines the field for the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event; Phil Mickelson is currently not among the participants
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Over a dozen PGA Tour players, including the two-time major champion Dustin Johnsonwas put on the course for the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event, which will take place next month outside of London.
The list of 42 players on the course was announced by LIV Golf on Tuesday night. It also includes longtime PGA Tour players Sergio Garcia, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Charl Schwartzel and Lee Westwood.
Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson were not included in the list of players announced on Tuesday.
LIV Golf had previously said their events would feature 48 players competing in 12 teams of four players. The last six slots will be filled by players invited by the CEO Greg Norman and qualifiers from the Asian Tour event, LIV Golf said in a statement.
Mickelson – who skipped the Masters and PGA Championships, an event he won last year – was among the players asked to leave the PGA Tour to compete in the first, scheduled LIV Golf event. takes place June 9-11 at Centurion Golf Club outside London. Mickelson hasn’t competed on the PGA Tour since missing a game at the Farmer’s Open at Torrey Pines in late January.
Among other PGA Tour players, who will be challenging the PGA Tour by playing in the LIV Golf Invitational Series – are being faced by Norman, two-time Open winner and former No. funded by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia — is Taylor Gooch, Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford. Brooks KoepkaBrother’s, Chasewere also among the LIV participants.
The field also includes former star Clemson Turk Pettit2021 NCAA individual champion and former Michigan State star James Piotwho won the US Amateur in 2021.
Johnson, whose 24 PGA Tour wins include wins at the 2016 US Open and 2020 Masters, was the biggest surprise in the LIV field. On February 20, shortly after Mickelson’s controversial comments about the PGA Tour’s “obnoxious greed” and the Saudi monarchy setting off a firestorm, Johnson released a statement. , in which he said he was committed to the PGA Tour.
“I feel it’s time to let such speculation rest. I’m fully committed to the PGA Tour,” Johnson said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete on the best tour in the world and for all that it has given me and my family.”
His agent, David Winkle, released a statement on Tuesday.
“Dustin has been pondering the opportunity for the past few years,” Winkle wrote. “In the end, he decided to pursue it was in the best interest of himself and his family. Dustin has never had a problem with the PGA Tour and is grateful for all it has given him, but in the end, felt this was too tempting to pass up.”
Norman said in a statement that “free agency has finally come to golf.”
“This is an opportunity to start a movement that will change the course of history by bringing fresh and open competition to the sport we all love. The desire of the players involved. LIV Golf demonstrates their deep belief in our model and confidence in what we are building for the future,” he said. “We couldn’t be happier at the diversity of our field, with players from around the world including major champions and debutants with us competing in the professional event. their first career.”
However, the original LIV field was not as strong as Norman and his team had envisioned. Some of the Top PGA Tour Players, Including Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeauhad previously pledged their allegiance to the tour.
“I left the US PGA (Championship) and really couldn’t care less about how much I made that week,” England team Matt Fitzpatrick said on Tuesday. “I just gutted that I didn’t win. I had my chance but I didn’t take it, and that says a lot to myself about myself that that’s all I am.” bother being out here.
“You want records, I want to win tournaments, and for me that’s why right now, LIV Golf type of thing doesn’t interest me. In five years, if suddenly, suddenly If that becomes the main tour, then obviously you’re rethinking your options. But right now, I’m here wanting to make sure I’m giving myself the best chance of winning the race. tournaments, winning majors and continuing his career like that.”
On May 10, the PGA Tour declined to release the conflict event for its players to compete in the event in London, which coincided with the Canadian Open in Ontario that week. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has told players they will face discipline, including the possibility of suspension and/or lifetime ban, by competing on the breakaway tour.
“We have notified those who have signed up that their request has been denied in accordance with the PGA Tournament Rules,” the PGA Tour said in a memo to its players. “Therefore, Tour members are not allowed to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event in accordance with our regulations. As a member organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of our customers. of the PGA Tour and its players.”
Norman called the PGA Tour’s decision not to issue a release to his players “anti-golf, anti-fan and anti-competitive.”
The DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour, has also declined to release to its players.
Norman has argued that professional golfers are independent contractors and should be allowed to play wherever they please. He said his legal team stands ready to challenge the PGA Tour’s position in court, if necessary.
“Sadly, the PGA Tour appears intent on denying professional golfers the right to play, unless it happens exclusively during a PGA Tour,” Norman said in a statement. “But no matter what obstacles the PGA Tour poses, we will not be stopped. We will continue to provide players with options to promote great golf globally. “
The eight-event LIV series will feature five tournaments taking place in the United States. It will include seven regular-season events and a team championship tournament final at the Trump Doral in Miami from October 28 to 30. A second LIV event is scheduled for 1-3. July at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Portland, Oregon.
The LIV Golf Invitational Series will include 54-hole, no-cut and shotgun-started events “to ensure more speed and more fun.” There will be a maximum of 48 players from 12 quadruple teams at each event, and the roster will be determined by the tournament’s weekly draft.
The total prize money for the eight events will be $255 million, according to LIV Golf Investments, and the seven regular tournaments will total $25 million, making it the richest prize pool in professional golf. , with $20 million in individual prizes and $5 million for the top three teams. The top three individuals after the season’s seven regular events will also share in the $30 million prize pool.
The season-ending team championship will provide an additional $50 million in prizes.
