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Phil Mickelson signed on with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Sequence on Monday after months of hypothesis.
The six-time main winner will make his debut with the tour at this week’s inaugural occasion outdoors London.
“Phil Mickelson is unequivocally one of many best golfers of this technology,” LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman mentioned in a information launch.
“His contributions to the game and connection to followers across the globe can’t be overstated and we’re grateful to have him. He strengthens an thrilling discipline for London the place we’re proud to launch a brand new period for golf.”
Mickelson, 51, has not performed in a event since competing within the Saudi Worldwide in February. His final occasion on the PGA Tour was the Farmers Insurance coverage Open in January.
“I’m prepared to come back again to play the sport I like however after 32 years this new path is a recent begin, one that’s thrilling for me at this stage of my profession and is clearly transformative, not only for myself, however ideally for the sport and my friends,” Mickelson mentioned in an announcement.
Final week, LIV Golf introduced 42 of the 48 gamers who had been collaborating within the LIV Golf Worldwide beginning on Thursday on the Centurion Membership.
Dustin Johnson, the most important identify on that listing, was supplied $125 million by LIV Golf to hitch its rival tour, based on a report in The Telegraph.
The sum negotiated for Mickelson was not disclosed, however Tiger Woods turned down a proposal within the “excessive 9 digits” to hitch LIV Golf, Norman informed the Washington Submit.
Different notable names on this week’s discipline embody Englishmen Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Richard Bland, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Kevin Na, Talor Gooch, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and South Africans Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace.
Garcia, Oosthuizen, Schwartzel and Grace resigned from the PGA Tour to pursue LIV, their supervisor informed media retailers later Monday. They adopted Na, who made his resignation announcement Saturday.
Garcia, Oosthuizen and Schwartzel have gained one main apiece of their careers. Garcia made his emotions towards the PGA Tour clear throughout final month’s Wells Fargo Championship, when he was heard on a tv feed telling a guidelines official that he “can’t wait to depart this tour … only a couple extra weeks and I gained’t need to take care of you anymore.”
Along with Mickelson, the remaining 5 entrants introduced Monday had been Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, India’s Viraj Madappa, Australia’s Travis Smyth and Kevin Yuan and South Africa’s Ian Snyman.
Rickie Fowler denied the rumors he’s leaping to the LIV tour — a minimum of for now — when he spoke to the Golf Channel final week on the Memorial.
“I’ve been in talks with them for a very long time,” Fowler mentioned, per ESPN Radio. “It’s one thing to positively have a look at. At this level, it wasn’t the best transfer or resolution for us, however I’m not saying I’m for positive right here or I’m going to go there. I’m going to simply sort of go away my choices open and see how issues play out.”
The PGA Tour didn’t grant its members a launch to play within the occasion, which shall be contested reverse the RBC Canadian Open. Johnson — who gained the Canadian Open in 2018 — and different members might face punishment for selecting the LIV Golf occasion with out the tour’s permission.
“I’m thrilled to start with LIV Golf and I recognize everybody concerned,” Mickelson mentioned on Monday. “I additionally intend to play the majors. I totally notice and respect some might disagree with this resolution and have sturdy opinions and I empathize with that. I’ve a renewed spirit and pleasure for the sport.”
Mickelson is a 45-time winner on the PGA Tour, together with three wins at The Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), two on the PGA Championship (2005, 2021) and The Open Championship in 2013.
Learn extra:
Dustin Johnson defies PGA Tour and joins Saudi-funded golf collection
Fowler but to make up thoughts over Saudi-backed LIV Golf forward of PGA Championship
PGA Tour denies gamers’ requests to compete in Saudi-backed LIV occasion
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