Bryson DeChambeau has become the most important player to turn his back on the PGA Tour and join the new LIV Golf series funded by Saudi Arabia. The 28-year-old American won the 2020 US Open and is at the peak of his career. It was revealed the day after the announcement of the PGA Tour that it suspended the members who joined the opponent’s track. DeChambeau’s first appearance will be at the second $ 250 million (£ 200 million) series, which runs from June 30 to July 2 in Portland, Oregon. The first of seven 54 54m 20-hole events is currently taking place at the Centurion Club, near London, with a four-day 40 40m final scheduled for October in Miami. LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said DeChambeau was “an exciting addition” because he is “passionate and innovative in his approach and committed to pushing the boundaries”. “He is not afraid to think outside the box and supports our mission to do different things to grow our game.” DeChambeau, who became a professional in 2016 and officially joined the PGA Tour in 2017, is the eighth major champion to participate in the new series. He added about 40 pounds of muscle to his body during the Covid-19 pandemic as he sought greater distance from the jersey and was rewarded almost immediately when he won the 2020 US Open with his “bomb and throttle” approach hitting the ball away and then getting it out of trouble. DeChambeau has spent much of the last two years in the top 10 of the world rankings, but is currently in 28th place after retiring from injury at the Saudi International Asian Tour in February – in which DeChambeau and many other PGA players Tour had the opportunity to play. And the slide down in the rankings may not stop there, as LIV Golf events do not currently carry ranking points, although Norman said last month that he was confident it would be their turn. Rankings are important because they help players qualify for the four big companies that define their careers. DeChambeau is safe at the moment because his victory at the US Open gave him a 10-year exemption for this event, as well as a five-year exemption for the Open Championship, Masters and US PGA Championship. The United States Golf Association, which hosts the US Open, said this week’s LIV Golf Golf players who have qualified will be able to play in next week’s third men’s 2022 championship. R&A has not yet commented on the 150th Open Championship in July. DeChambeau took a “huge risk” of returning early from that injury to play in the Masters, the first major of the year. But after losing his cut at Augusta National, he underwent surgery on his left arm, which led to him losing the US PGA Championship last month. He then missed the cut at last week’s Memorial Tournament, which looks set to be his last on the PGA Tour, according to a statement sent to all its members by Commissioner Jay Monahan on Thursday. Monahan wrote: “Under the PGA Tour tournament rules, players playing this week without releases are suspended or otherwise disqualified from participating in the PGA Tour tournament game, including the Presidents Cup. “The same fate applies to any other player who participates in future Saudi Arabian Golf League matches in violation of our rules. “These players have made their choice for their own financial reasons. “But they can not claim the same PGA Tour membership privileges, ratings, opportunities and platform as you do. This expectation does not respect you, our fans and our partners.” The PGA Tour refused to allow requests for resignations to play in the first LIV Golf event, which is funded by the deep pockets of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Norman said last month that he had secured an additional 1, 1.6bn in funding to turn this initial eight-event invitation series into a 14-event league by 2024, but also wants his turn to run alongside the other tours. Six-time champion Phil Mickelson, who earlier this week did not deny being paid $ 200 million, and former world number one Dustin Johnson, who has been paid $ 150 million, is one of the biggest names in the starting lineup. . 48-person stadium at the Centurion this week. Johnson resigned as a member of the PGA Tour on Tuesday, while Mickelson’s lifelong member hoped to continue with his own. The Englishman Ian Poulter vowed to fight for the decision, while Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell confirmed that they had resigned from the dominant America-based Tour before sending the Monahan note. Importantly, the PGA Tour also closed a gap that would potentially allow players who have dropped out of the tour to play events through sponsor exceptions. The DP World Tour based in Europe continues to remain calm about the situation. He has a “strategic alliance” with the PGA Tour, which McDowell fears could force them. On Thursday, the Northern Irishman, winner of the 2010 US Open, said: “I hope Keith [Pelley, DP World Tour chief] does not follow their example, but may be needed “. South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel continues to lead the opening LIV event, winning one bird at 18 and finishing with four less than the second round. The 2011 Masters champions advanced to the third and final lap with a three-point lead over compatriot Hennie du Plessis, but Mickelson struggled on Friday, following the lowest level in the opening round with five overs to finish 26th at 48. players. field. -9 C Schwartzel (SA); -6 H du Plessis (SA); -4 O Becker (SA); -3 P Dog (USA); -1 D Johnson (USA), S Horsfield (Light), S Vincent (Small), P Khongwatmai (Good) Selected: +1 L Oosthuizen (SA), S Garcia (Spa), I Poulter (Light); +4 P Mickelson (USA), M Kaymer (Ger); +5 G McDowell (NI); +6 L Westwood (Eng)
