\n Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia, who let his disdain for the PGA Tour come out several weeks ago at the Wells Fargo Championship when he got an unfavorable ruling, is among several former major winners to participate. <\/p>\n
Johnson was asked about LIV Golf two weeks ago at the PGA Championship and said: \u201cI think golf is in a good spot, and I think what they’re doing … could potentially be good for the game of golf. I’m excited to see what happens here in a few weeks. ” <\/p>\n
He later added that he’d \u201cbe watching, ” but now will apparently be playing. <\/p>\n
It is expected that players such as Johnson and Garcia are receiving hefty appearance fees or even contracts to compete in a specified number of events on top of the prize money.<\/p>\n
Johnson’s agent, David Winkle, issued a statement Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
“Dustin has been contemplating this 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. “<\/p>\n\nJohnson also has an endorsement with RBC, the Canadian financial services company, and will miss next week’s RBC Canadian Open though he is listed as being in the field.<\/p>\n
Others who have joined the field are former Masters winner Charl Schwartzel, former British Open champion and world No. 20 Oosthuizen, former US Open champions Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer, who also won a PGA Championship and the Players Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Englishmen Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Richard Bland are also participating, along with Americans Kevin Na, Hudson Swafford and Talor Gooch, who won earlier this year on the PGA Tour. Australian Matt Jones is also part of the field, as is South African Branden Grace. <\/p>\n
Former US Amateur champions Peter Uihlein and Andy Ogletree are entered, as are three current amateurs: James Piot, the 2021 US Amateur champion, David Puig and Thailand’s Ratchanon Chantananuwat, who earlier this year at age 15 became the youngest player to win an Official World Golf Ranking event at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup. <\/p>\n
Among some DP World (formerly European) Tour players to enter are Laurie Canter, Oliver Fisher, Sam Horsfield, Pablo Larrazabal, Shaun Norris, Wayne Ormsby and Bernd Wiesberger. <\/p>\n\n The field of 48 will be completed with five players who qualify based on their finishes at this week’s International Series event in England that is sanctioned by the Asian as part of an agreement with LIV Golf Investments. <\/p>\n
“The desire shown by the players to participate in LIV Golf demonstrates their emphatic believe in our model and confidence in what we’re building for the future,” LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman said.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n“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. 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. “<\/p>\n
The PGA Tour and commissioner Jay Monahan have denied conflicting-event releases to the tournament, which will likely lead to fines and possibility suspensions. Previously, Monahan had threatened PGA Tour bans for players who joined the new league.<\/p>\n\nScroll to Continue<\/span><\/p>\n