Dustin Johnson

Johnson's participation came as a surprise after saying he would not participate in the LIV Gold circuit and stick to the PGA Tour.

Projected lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe to stay in 2022 NBA Draft Johnson was scheduled to play the RBC Canadian Open but instead opted to join the LIV Gold event. The 42 players revealed represent 11 different countries, have a combined eight major titles and include three former No. 1 ranked players.

Names announced so far for next week's 54-hole, no-cut, $25 million event in London include 16 of the world's top 100 and six former major champions.

The issue was going to become more acute when the first event is played in North America starting on July 1 outside of Portland. Norman was announced as CEO of LIV Golf Investments and commissioner of a league that was expected to begin play this year. Mickelson, who won the PGA Championship last year for his sixth major title, has not played since early February and was severely criticized for his association with the league. It is the week prior to the U.S. Open. “We have notified those who have applied that their request has been declined in accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament regulations,’’ said Tyler Dennis, PGA Tour senior vice president, in a memo to players. The Tour dropped its alliance starting this year and that tournament is now an Asian Tour event. Norman said the plan is for the League to launch in 2024. LIV Golf received 170 entries, with 36 ranked among the top 50 in the Official World Ranking. We can't wait to start that journey at Centurion Club with this group of first movers who are committed to growing the game in new and exciting ways." Several other players were critical of Mickelson, including Rory McIlroy, who said the concept was “dead in the water" and added “who’s left? He was among the first to speak out against the concept. Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family’s best interest to pursue it.

Royal Bank of Canada has been one of Johnson's sponsors since 2018. However, RBC also sponsors the Canadian Open, the PGA Tour event that shares a date with the ...

"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.” In a statement to multiple outlets, Johnson’s agent David Winkle seemed to indicate Johnson was looking at the tour in the rearview mirror. “We were recently made aware that Dustin Johnson made the decision to play the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener.

We finally learned who is heading to London for the LIV Golf Series opener June 9–11 at the Centurion Golf Club.

We realize it won’t happen overnight, and we’re excited for the opportunities LIV Golf will add to the game as we continue to grow.” “We’re going to grow the game, give more opportunities to players, and create a more entertaining product for fans. “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,” Johnson’s statement said in February. “I feel it is now time to put such speculation to rest.

LIV Golf has announced the 48-player field for its first event, to be held next week in London. Some names on the list may surprise you.

For example, the London event will be staged at the same time as the PGA Tour’s Canadian Open. Tour players who wished to play in London were required, by Tour regulation, to apply for a release to play in an event held the same time as a Tour competition. To this point, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has not entertained the idea that Tour members could compete in LIV Golf events and PGA Tour events, which will overlap at various points the rest of the calendar year. “As such, Tour members are not authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event under our Regulations. The event will offer a purse of $25 million, $20 million of which will be awarded for individual performances, and the remaining being dished out among the top three teams. I am fully-committed to the PGA Tour.” His stance didn’t seem to change at all in previous months, though he did offer a slightly different thought during the PGA Championship two weeks ago: Johnson’s inclusion is somewhat surprising as three months ago he pledged his allegiance to the PGA Tour in a statement.

Dustin Johnson is the surprise headliner for LIV Golf's inaugural event. Here are the other eye-openers from the list.

Easily the biggest shocker on the list was Gooch, a 30-year-old who seems (seemed?!) to really be finding his stride on the PGA Tour. He snagged his first victory at the end of 2021, currently sits at No. 35 in the world and seems to have the bulk of his career ahead of him. If he starts winning millions of dollars in the coming weeks, there’s no question that Tour pros will start to take notice. And the fact that LIV won his allegiance even after the PGA Tour released a statement in February declaring his allegiance there? I hope a kid who’s 350th in the world wins. Enough rumors swirled around Bryson DeChambeau that he, like Johnson, released a statement declaring his allegiance to the PGA Tour. Jason Kokrak has been sporting a Golf Saudi sponsorship and has discussed his interest in the league, too. Still, his presence is interesting given his brother Brooks has declared his own allegiance to the PGA Tour — and given Chase is just No. 1,543 in the world. In many ways Chase Koepka is a perfect fit for this list; he’s a known professional golfer who hasn’t been able to play quite well enough to gain full-time status on golf’s biggest tours. Beneath the roster of players was included this note: And of course there’s Phil Mickelson, whose interest in LIV ultimately kicked off a bizarre string of events that resulted in his disappearance from the public eye these last several months. Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family’s best interest to pursue it. On Tuesday night, LIV Golf released the long-awaited list of players set to compete in its kickoff tournament next week. The list was comprised of 42 names committed to the 48-player field — more on the other six later.

Former world No 1 Dustin Johnson and past major champion Sergio Garcia were listed among competitors for the LIV Golf Invitational Series opener.

“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.” I’m beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this.” “The desire shown by the players to participate in LIV Golf demonstrates their emphatic belief in our model and confidence in what we’re building for the future.”

Johnson, currently the world No. 13, will be the highest-ranked player at the tournament, which will also include Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, ...

"As a past RBC Canadian Open champion, Canadian golf fans were looking forward to DJ's return this year," it said. "Free agency has finally come to golf," Greg Norman, LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner, said in a statement. Six places still remain open in the 48-man field.

The Saudi-backed league announced 42 players for the first tournament of the LIV Golf Invitational series, starting June 9 at the Centurion Club, with the two- ...

Guy is in the prime of his career and just starting to establish himself in that top 50 in the world tier. It's not a shock considering the comments he made about the founders being murderers and how his life in the past year has been one act of self-sabotage after another. To improve its reputation, especially to the Western world, Saudi Arabia has heavily invested in various athletic organizations and events, a practice often referred to as “sportswashing.” This exercise, particularly when used by state-run groups, is considered a form of propaganda to distract the public from its abuses. It’s highly unlikely that Phil ever plays on the PGA Tour again given all the bridges he’s blown up. They’re definitely saving the “best” for last, and Phil is still the headliner of this group. But Mickelson has remained out of the public eye since late February when the Fire Pit Collective published an interview in which Mickelson claimed he was using the Saudi-backed golf circuit as leverage against the PGA Tour and claimed he had paid lawyers to draw up the league’s operating charter. The overall purse for the initial event is $25 million, $20 million of which will be given out in the individual portion of the event. However, a PGA Tour spokesperson told Golf Digest’s Dan Rapaport that disciplinary actions will not be handed out until the London event commences. "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," Winkle said. The rest of the LIV Golf London field is listed below. Though he was previously linked to the fledgling circuit, Johnson came out with a statement in February pledging loyalty to the PGA Tour. "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.”

Phil Mickelson, whose comments on the Saudi backing of the new venture caused a firestorm, was not among the 42 players initially listed for the tour's ...

As of Tuesday evening, the PGA Tour had yet to comment on the announcement of the London field. “This is an opportunity to start a movement that will change the course of history by bringing new and open competition to the sport we all love,” he continued. In May, though, the PGA Tour denied releases to all of its players who were seeking an opportunity to compete in the first LIV Golf event. At that time, Johnson issued a statement in which he declared he was “fully committed to the PGA Tour.” “Dustin has been contemplating the opportunity off and on for the past couple of years. “I mean, I think golf is in a good spot,” Johnson replied.

Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson and a host of other PGA Tour players are in the field for the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event, while Phil ...

The LIV Golf Invitational Series will consist of 54-hole events, no cuts and shotgun starts "to ensure a faster and more exciting pace." "We have notified those who have applied that their request has been declined in accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament Regulations," the PGA Tour said in a memo to its players. We will continue to give players options that promote the great game of golf globally." PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has told players that they will face discipline, including potential suspensions and/or lifetime bans, by competing in the breakaway tour. The second LIV event is scheduled July 1-3 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Portland, Oregon. "We couldn't be happier at the diversity of our field, featuring players from around the world including major champions and those making their debut with us competing in their first professional event." But for now, I'm out here wanting to make sure I'm giving myself the best chance of winning tournaments, winning majors and going about my career like that." Several top PGA Tour players, including Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeau, previously pledged their loyalty to the tour. Johnson, whose 24 PGA Tour victories include wins at the 2016 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters, was the biggest surprise in the LIV field. "Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family's best interest to pursue it. The desire shown by the players to participate in LIV Golf demonstrates their emphatic belief in our model and confidence in what we're building for the future," he said. LIV Golf had previously said its events would include 48 players competing in 12 teams of four players.

Good morning and welcome to those of you who are new to this newsletter, I'm Dan Gartland. The Saudi golf drama is just getting started. In today's SI:AM:.

Regardless of what he was or wasn’t on, 1992 was the year McGwire’s transformation from wiry to hulking began in earnest. McGwire, who shocked the world with 49 homers as a rookie in 1987, followed that up with seasons of 32, 33 and 39 dingers, making him the first player to hit at least 30 homers in each of his first four seasons. “I remember trying steroids very briefly in the ’89–90 offseason and then after I was injured in 1993 I used steroids again,” he said. He ran up a 6.48 ERA in 58⅓ innings with the Dodgers and A’s. In the second game of a doubleheader, Lasorda set a league record with his 25 K’s while allowing five runs. Wulf’s story details how McGwire worked to get over the frustration of his down year and attempt to turn things around. He tried to clear his head by going to Australia to caddy in a golf tournament for his friend Billy Andrade, a PGA Tour pro. … The Phillies have lost 10 of their last 13 after falling to the Giants in extra innings last night. “To obsess over Curry’s three-point artistry is to miss all the other skills that make him one of the greatest players of his generation—and arguably of all time. In Santana’s game, it was by left fielder Mike Baxter, who crashed into the wall after catching a sharp liner off the bat of which Cardinals hitter? “As such, TOUR members are not authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event under our Regulations. “I am fully committed to the PGA Tour.”

The two-time major winner, who had pledged loyalty to the PGA Tour, is among 42 golfers set to play in the first event for a series whose major shareholder ...

Saudi Arabia’s role in the new tour has already caused controversy. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has insisted that the tour’s lawyers believe any discipline handed to golfers who play for the rival tour will withstand legal scrutiny. “This is an opportunity to start a movement that will change the course of history by bringing new and open competition to the sport we all love. Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family’s best interest to pursue it. “Free agency has finally come to golf,” Norman said in his own statement. Other players in the field were expected, with many — like Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Richard Bland, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter — older than 40.

RBC has ended its relationships with Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell after the PGA Tour players were included in the field for the first LIV Golf ...

"Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family's best interest to pursue it. RBC signed Johnson to a multiyear sponsorship deal in February 2018, when he was the No. 1-ranked player in the world. Johnson, a two-time major champion, was one of the biggest surprises among the 42 players released for the LIV opener, which is scheduled June 9-11 at Centurion Club outside London. It coincides with the RBC Canadian Open in Ontario, which will be played June 9-12.

Dustin Johnson lines up a putt at the 2022 Masters Tournament. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan warned players against LIV Golf participation, threatening ...

If Johnson loves the LIV life (because he can play golf and make a bunch of money), he will surely still want to play the Masters, which is not run by the PGA Tour. Is Augusta National, with its relentless emphasis on tradition, really going to ban four former champions? If the Saudis decide this isn’t worth it for them, there goes Norman’s attempt to save golfers from PGA Tour oppression, or whatever he is claiming to do. The Saudi guarantees are surely enormous, especially for Johnson. But he is also risking an enormous amount of money. Commissioner Jay Monahan has done everything possible to cripple LIV Golf. He has warned players not to play in any LIV events, implied they will forfeit their PGA Tour membership if they do, and ultimately denied releases to players who requested them. The Saudi government is using golfers to launder its image as an oppressive regime, as Mickelson has acknowledged. He is friends with Donald Trump, but that seems to be because Trump is a golf guy.

Golf Twitter didn't know what to do with it's hands after LIV Golf's Dustin Johnson announcement on Tuesday.

We're of course talking about Twitter, and if we’re talking Twitter, it only makes sense to start with Max Homa. After months of speculation, justification, bad blood, empty promises, pearl-clutching, and cash-grabbing, LIV Golf—the Saudi-backed, Greg Norman-led rival to the PGA Tour—finally has golfers. Just over three months after Johnson pledged his commitment to the PGA Tour, the 2020 Masters champion committed to its biggest rival instead.