DeChambeau stepped up during the blockade of the Covid pandemic to help him hit the ball further and then won the US Open 2020
Bryson DeShambo became the most important player to turn his back on the PGA Tour and join the nascent Saudi-funded LIV Golf series.
The 28-year-old American won the US Open 2020 and is in the prime of his career.
It was unveiled a day after the PGA Tour said it was stopping all members who joined the rival chain.
DeChambeau’s first appearance will be in the second event of the $ 250 million (£ 200 million) series, which will take place from June 30 to July 2 in Portland, Oregon.
The first of seven £ 20 million events with 54 holes is currently taking place at the Centurion Club, near London, with a four-day final worth £ 40 million scheduled for October in Miami.
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said DeChambeau was an “exciting addition” because he was “passionate and innovative in his approach and committed to pushing the boundaries.”
“He is not afraid to think outside the box and supports our mission to do things differently to develop our game.”
DeChambeau, who became a pro in 2016 and officially joined the PGA Tour in 2017, is the eighth major champion to join the new series.
He added about 40 pounds of muscle to his body during the Covid-19 pandemic while looking for more distance from the T-shirt and was almost instantly rewarded when he won the US Open 2020 with his “bomb and carving” approach to hitting the ball long and hard. then got him out of trouble.
DeChambo spent much of the last two years in the top 10 in the world rankings, but is currently 28th after being injured on the Saudi International tour in February – which DeChambo and many other players on the PGA Tour were allowed to play.
And sliding down the charts may not stop there, given that LIV Golf events do not currently carry any ranking points, although Norman said last month that he is confident his series will win them.
Ranking points are important because they help players qualify for the four specialties that define their careers.
DeChambeau is safe for now because his victory in the US Open earned him a 10-year release for the event, as well as five years of exceptions for the Open Championship, Masters and US PGA Championship.
The United States Golf Association, which runs the US Open, said that players in this week’s LIV Golf event who qualified will be able to play in the third men’s championship in 2022 next week. R&A is yet to comment on the 150th Open Championship in July.
De Chambo took a “huge risk” to return early from the injury to play in the Masters, the first major of the year. But after missing the Augusta National cut, he underwent surgery on his left arm, which led to him missing out on the US PGA Championship last month.
He then missed the cut of last week’s memorial tournament, which appears to be his last on the PGA Tour, given a statement sent to all its members by Commissioner Jay Monahan on Thursday.
Monahan wrote: “According to the PGA Tour tournament rules, players competing this week without exemptions are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in the PGA Tour tournaments, including the Presidents Cup.
“The same fate applies to all other players who participate in future events of the Saudi Golf League in violation of our regulations.
“These players made their choice for their own financial reasons.
“But they may not require the same benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform for PGA Tour membership as you. This expectation does not respect you, our fans and our partners. “
The PGA Tour has refused to allow refusal requests to be played in the first LIV Golf event, which is funded by the deep pockets of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Norman said last month that he had provided additional funding of £ 1.6 billion to turn this initial series of invitations from eight events into a league with 14 events by 2024, but also wanted his series to go hand in hand with other tours. .
Six-time grand champion Phil Mickelson, who earlier this week did not deny receiving a $ 200 million fee, and former world number one Dustin Johnson, who received a $ 150 million fee, are among the biggest names in the world. the original Field for 48 people at Centurion this week.
Johnson resigned from his PGA Tour membership on Tuesday, while lifelong member Mickelson hoped to stick to his word.
Englishman Ian Poulter has vowed to fight the decision, while Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Graham McDowell have confirmed they have withdrawn from the dominant US-based Tour before Monahan’s note is sent.
Most importantly, the PGA Tour has also closed a loophole that could potentially allow players who have given up the tour to play events through sponsor exceptions.
Europe-based DP World Tour remains silent on the situation. He has a “strategic alliance” with the PGA Tour, which McDowell fears could lend a hand.
On Thursday, the Northern Irish winner of the 2010 US Open said: “I hope Keith [Pelley, DP World Tour chief] does not follow the example, but may be necessary. “
South African Charles Schwarzell is still leading the first LIV event after winning a bird on the 18th and finishing four less than the second round.
The 2011 Masters champion advanced to the third and final round with a three-shot lead over compatriot Henny du Plessis, but Mickelson fought on Friday, following his junior one in the opening round with five overs and finishing 26th. place at 48 field players.
-9 C Schwarzell (SA); -6 H du Plessis (SA); -4 O Bekker (SA); -3 P Uihlein (USA); -1 D Johnson (USA), S Horsfield (Eng), S Vincent (Zim), P Khongwatmai (Tha) Selected: +1 L Oosthuizen (SA), S Garcia (Spa), I Poulter (Eng); +4 P Mickelson (USA), M Kaimer (Ger); +5 G McDowell (NI); +6 L Westwood
Add Comment