Defection: Two-time Major winner Dustin Johnson fully committed to the PGA Tour back in February
(Picture: Getty Images)Dustin Johnson has stunned the world of golf after being confirmed as the headline attraction for next week’s opening LIV Golf Invitational Series event in the UK.
The former world No1 will join the likes of Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Charl Schwartzel and Richard Bland by competing in the inaugural LIV Golf event, which takes place at the Centurion Club in St Albans, Hertfordshire between June 9-11 and features $25million in prize money.
The competition - which features 12 teams and 48 players with 54 holes and no cuts - then heads to the USA and Portland in June before further stops in Bedminster, Boston, Chicago, Bangkok, Jeddah and Miami across the year.
The lucrative Saudi-backed rebel series, led by golfing legend Greg Norman, has proved hugely controversial, with the rival PGA and European Tours having both denied authorisation for players to participate earlier this month.
Phil Mickelson is not included in the initial list of players to take part in the first tournament outside London, though there are still six places yet to be confirmed in the 48-player field.
The inclusion of Johnson is both a major surprise and coup for the LIV Golf series, given that it is just three months since the two-time Major champion seemingly dismissed rumours that he would join the breakaway league and instead reiterated his “full commitment” to the PGA Tour over the long-term.
“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,” the 2020 Masters winner said back in February.
“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.”
However, in a subsequent statement released via agent David Winkle on Wednesday, Johnson’s camp said: “Dustin has been contemplating the opportunity off-and-on for the past couple of years. Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family’s best interest to pursue it.
“Dustin has never had any issue with the PGA Tour and is grateful for all it has given him, but in the end, felt this was too compelling to pass up.”
