Former U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau has become the newest top golfer to sign with the new Saudi-funded LIV Golf series, confirming he will play in upcoming tournaments in the USA.
It’s an about-face for DeChambeau, who previously said he would continue to play on the PGA Tour. That may no longer be possible now, as the PGA announced on Thursday that players who defect to the splinter series will be banned from future Tour events.
DeChambeau joins Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, who are playing LIV Golf’s first tournament outside of London this week.
On the course, Charl Schwartzel shot 66 (minus-4) to move three strokes ahead of fellow South African Hennie Du Plessis. The winner of the 54-hole event, which ends on Saturday, will pocket a purse of US$4 million. Schwartzel and Du Plessis are part of the Stinger, the team that is in the lead for obtaining the purse of $ 3 million that will be shared by the four members of it.
DeChambeau’s signing was announced as Round 2 unfolded at the Centurion Club, where golfers spent much of the pre-tournament press conferences answering questions about Saudi Arabia’s record of human rights.
The American, ranked 28th in the world, could make his debut at the LIV Golf Series in Portland, Oregon, starting June 30.
“He is passionate about the sport, innovative in his approach and determined to push the boundaries in the pursuit of excellence,” league president Greg Norman said in a statement. He’s not afraid to think outside the box and supports our mission to do things differently to grow our sport. The power and energy he brings to the field will provide an added boost to our competition in Portland and beyond. »
DeChambeau won the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot at a time when he was getting a lot of attention in golf with his quirky approach that more speed and more power would be a game-changer. He added 40 pounds of muscle and his ball speed off the tee hit 200 mph (320 km/h). He also competed in tee shot contests.
