Golf’s crisis escalates as DeChambeau U-turns to join rebels

The exodus of leading golfers to the saudi breakaway tour continued on Friday with confirmation that Bryson DeChambeau has cashed in with the LIV Invitational series. The 2020 Us Open champion will join the rebels for the second event in Portland next month, despite the sanctions issued by the PGA Tour on Thursday in which they stated LIV players would be banned indefinitely. DeChambeau’s switch came a week after he rejected a ninefigure offer to sign up with LIV, saying at the time: ‘I personally don’t think that at this point I’m in a place in my career where I can risk things like (LIV Golf). I’m loyal to my family that I’ve created around me with sponsors and everything.’ The U-turn, while expected, will cause further ire at the PGA Tour, who had waited until 30 minutes into the inaugural LIV event at Centurion Club to announce they were banning 17 players who were in the field, including Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter. That such a high-profile figure as DeChambeau, an eight-time winner on the PGA Tour, has also crossed over will only escalate the civil war that has rocked golf. LIV CeO Greg Norman, who has not spoken directly to the mainstream media since the tournament started, said in a statement: ‘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 boundaries in pursuit of excellence.

‘The power and energy he brings to the course will deliver added electricity to our competition.’ While the series has attracted huge criticism for the source of its wealth and its impact on the golf landscape — both from administrators and players such as rory McIlroy — further marquee signings are believed to be imminent, with American ryder Cup stars Patrick reed and rickie Fowler also set to join. The fledgling circuit was visited by three extinction rebellion protestors during the second round yesterday, with one sign reading: ‘Xr against Blood Golf.’ They were moved on by police. On the course Charl schwartzel leads on nine under after a four-under round, three clear of hennie du Plessis. As he also leads the team event with stinger, schwartzel is in line to win £3.8million — more than triple what he pocketed for winning the Masters in 2011.