Dustin Johnson and other big name PGA players to play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series
The first LIV Golf Invitational Series has released the names of those who will participate in the tournament, and the list of players offers some surprises.
The Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series will tee off this month following a string of controversies, and the list of participants packs some surprises.
No. 13 Dustin Johnson will be joining the competition, in a complete turnaround from what his statement indicated in February.
Johnson ‘Fully committed to the PGA tour’
“Over the past several months, there has been a great deal of speculation about an alternative tour, much of which seems to have included me and my future in professional golf,” according to a statement on his behalf.
“I feel it is now time to put such speculation to rest. I am fully committed to the PGA TOUR. I am grateful for the opportunity to play on the best tour in the world and for all it has provided me and my family.”
Statement on behalf of Dustin Johnson pic.twitter.com/731B4SmyQv
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) February 20, 2022
Now his agent David Winkle says that the 2017 number one-ranked golfer has been thinking about the matter for the last couple of years and that the new golf series “was too compelling to pass up.”
David Winkle, DJ’s agent: “Dustin’s been contemplating this for the past two years & decided it was in his & his family’s best interest to pursue it. He’s never had any issue w/ PGA TOUR & is grateful for all it’s given him but in the end felt this was too compelling to pass up.”
— Rich Lerner (@RichLernerGC) June 1, 2022
The 48-man competition will take place at the Centurion Club in London from June 9 to 12, competing directly with the RBC Canadian Open. Golf Canada released a statement indicating their disappointment at the decision of Johnson, who is an ambassador for the event.
A statement from the RBC Canadian Open on Dustin Johnson’s decision to play in LIV golf event pic.twitter.com/BSahB3UeaX
— RBC Canadian Open (@RBCCanadianOpen) June 1, 2022
Other notable names that appear on the participant list are former number ones Martin Kaymen and Lee Westwood, who had earlier indicated that they would join the contest. Louis Oosthuizen (No. 20), Kevin Na (33), Talor Gooch (35) and Sergio Garcia (54) will also be playing.
The prize money is certainly attractive. A purse of $25 million is up for grabs- $20 million of the amount for individuals, and the rest for the top three teams.