By Rahul Banerji
Even as the PGA Tour suspended its members on the LIV Golf roster, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed came on board the lucrative league.
Both Reed and DeChambeau are expected to make their Invitational Series debut in the second tournament, at the Pumpkin Ridge course in Portland, Oregon that runs from July 30 to August 2.
The opening Invitational ends in a few hours at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire near London.
Reed and DeChambeau became the 18th and 19th PGA Tour players to join the $250 million series backed by a Saudi Arabian investment fund.
“I’m super-excited,” Reed said on the LIV Golf telecast. “Just the thought of me being a part of evolution and change in golf for the better is just unbelievable.
“Can’t wait to be part of it. Portland can’t get here fast enough,” the 2018 Masters champion added.
LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman said in a statement on Friday: “Bryson DeChambeau is an exciting addition to LIV Golf’s supercharged style of play.
“He is passionate about the sport, innovative in his approach and committed to pushing the boundaries in pursuit of excellence.
“He’s not afraid to think outside the box and supports our mission of doing things differently to grow our game.
“The power and energy he brings to the course will deliver added electricity to our competition in Portland and beyond.”
DecChambeau, 28, won the 2020 US Open but has had an off-year thanks to a series of injuries that have seen his world ranking drop steeply to near the 30th mark from the top 10.
Early hint
On Wednesday, his agent Brett Falkoff had suggested that a move was in the offing.
“Bryson has always been an innovator. Having the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something unique has always been intriguing to him.”
Reed becomes the ninth major winner to join the Norman-fronted initiative after DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel and Graeme McDowell.
On Thursday, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said any current and future players competing in LIV Golf events faced indefinite suspensions.
That was aimed at the 17 – now 19 – golfers who have jumped ship so far.
The Tour website noted, “In accordance with Tournament Regulations, the players competing this week without releases are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.
In violation
“Their participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf event is in violation of our Tournament Regulations.
“The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our Regulations.”
Also, players who have resigned their membership would be removed from the FedEx Cup Points List when the official statistics following the RBC Canadian Open are posted on Sunday.
“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” Monahan wrote to members.
“But they can’t demand the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners.”
Transparent
If players sought to return, Monahan said “Trust that we’re prepared to deal with those questions and we’ll approach them in the same way we have this entire process: by being transparent and respecting the PGA Tour regulations that you helped establish.
“I am certain our fans and partners – who are surely tired of all this talk of money, money and more money – will continue to be entertained and compelled by the world-class competition you display each and every week…
“This week, the RBC Canadian Open is a shining example of what you have created: a star-studded field, a committed sponsor, sold-out hospitality offerings, record crowds and a global broadcast distribution.
“These elements are part of the Tour’s DNA, built by the likes of Jack and Arnie, furthered by Tiger and countless others – whose legacies are inextricably linked… This collective legacy can’t be bought or sold.”
Also read: Madappa drafted into Iron Heads for London LIV Golf event; DeChambeau, Reed next?
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