Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson has joined the list of PGA rebels heading for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, which kicks off at the Centurion Club in St. Albans on June 9.
Johnson said in February that he was "fully committed" to the PGA Tour but has now been named as one of 42 players ready to compete in Hertfordshire this month. That contingent also includes Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, as well as British stars Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
Phil Mickelson—who has become closely associated with the Saudi-funded breakaway competition—isn't on the start list but could join as one of six players still to be confirmed by June 6. The first of eight LIV Golf Invitational events will feature a $25million (£19.8m), of which $4m (£3.4m) will go to the victor.
Johnson's agent, David Winkle, told the Golf Channel: "Dustin's been contemplating this for the past two years and decided it was in his and his family's best interest to pursue it. He's never had any issue with the PGA Tour and is grateful for all it's given him but in the end felt this was too compelling to pass up."
The LIV Golf Invitational Series has attracted claims of 'sportswashing' because it receives its funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Amnesty International has repeatedly pointed to the Kingdom's questionable record on human rights, LGBTQ+ rights and gender inequality as reasons why accepting such investment is a moral minefield.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who acts as chairman of the PIF, was accused of ordering the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 after he criticised the Saudi government. Mickelson, 51, previously told author Alan Shipnuck that "we know they killed Khashoggi" before outlining the opportunity to reform the way in which pro golf is run was too big an opportunity.
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Two-time Open champion Greg Norman has embraced his role as an ambassador for the Kingdom's breakaway competition as it's sought to lure some of golf's biggest stars. The likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have raised umbrage with the LIV series as morally wrong, but Norman has fired back by saying: "We don't need them."
Johnson—who won the Masters in 2020—is a considerable coup for the new contest in its bid to convert the sport's most recognisable talents, however. Other names listed to start this month's curtain-raising contest include Martin Kaymer, Chase Koepka, Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na, Talor Gooch, Branden Grace and Hudson Swafford.
The Canadian Open—which gets underway on June 9 and shares a sponsor with the world No. 13—expressed its disappointment after learning headline act Johnson would not be featuring in Toronto. Johnson's departure means the PGA field looks more divided than ever ahead of the Saudi Golf League tee-off, and Norman has commented that “free agency has finally come to golf."
