The PGA Tour has received a huge boost after former world No 1 Dustin Johnson confirmed he would not be joining the proposed Super Golf League.
The Saudi-backed initiative, that Greg Norman and his LIV Golf Investments company are striving to create by offering huge sums to the world's top stars, has threatened the future of the traditional tours in Europe and America.
Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm are amongst the players to have thus far rejected a deal, although six-time major champion Phil Mickleson declined to publicly rule out the notion of signing up.
But in another hammer blow to Norman and co, Johnson, who notched a perfect 5-0 record as Team USA routed Europe in the Ryder Cup last September, has pledged his future to the PGA.
In a statement released through the organisation, he said "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.
"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."
"While there will always be areas where our tour can improve and evolve, I am thankful for our leadership and the many sponsors who make the PGA Tour golf's premier tour."
Two-time major winner Johnson, 37, triumphed the Saudi International tournament for the second in 2021, but it was at the 2022 version this month where Mickleson, 51, fuelled speculation he would join the breakaway.
After accepting a seven-figure sum to play in the tournament, that was eventually won by his fellow American Harold Varner III, he gave an interview to Golf Digest where he accused the PGA Tour of "obnoxious greed."
Speculation is also mounting over the stance of Johnson's Ryder Cup teammate Bryson DeChambeau, who is yet to commit his future to the PGA Tour amidst reports he too has been the subject of a huge offer to play in the new league.
Players who wish to jump ship have been warned that attaching themselves to the Super Golf League will see them banned from the four traditional major championships - the US Masters, British Open, US Open, and US PGA.
