Cameron Tringale thanks Tiger Woods as he joins LIV Golf Tour
Cameron Tringale has confirmed he has decided to leave the PGA Tour for the LIV Golf Series, thanking Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus in the process.
Cameron Tringale thanked Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as he became the latest player to leave the PGA Tour and join the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Tringale, 35, confirmed the news on his social media. The news was first reported earlier in the week by Handicap54.
The American has the record for the most earnings on the PGA Tour without a win. In his statement, he said he made the decision after "much reflection and prayer."
He added: "Thank you, Tiger, Arnie and Jack, for paving the way for the professional game to be where it is today. You have created a marketplace for the rest of us and I am forever indebted to you."
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The news comes as Woods, 46, and Rory McIlroy, 33, announced earlier in the week that they were forming a Monday night golf league called, called TGL, in riposte to LIV Golf.
This was off the back of sweeping changes that were announced by the established American circuit. Among the changes, fully exempt PGA Tour members get guaranteed money of $500,000 to go against their tournament winnings, there is an expansion to the Player Impact Program as well as a series of Elevated Events with prize purses to rival LIV.
Woods has previously called out players signing for LIV, arguing that they were turning their back on the PGA Tour. He chided Phil Mickelson before the PGA Championship, saying he believed in legacy.
READ TRINGALE'S FULL STATEMENT:
Tringale's signing is the first of what is expected to be as many as seven PGA Tour defections in the coming days.
The highest-profile player expected to join LIV Golf is Cameron Smith, the 150th Open Champion and winner of The Players at TPC Sawgrass.
Smith turned heads immediately after winning the landmark major at St Andrews when he did not confirm nor deny his future path.
In the weeks since, The Telegraph have reported Smith, 28, has already penned a deal worth more than $100million to join the Saudi-financed league.
Rory McIlroy, too, also appeared to all-but confirm the Australian will be leaving, when he confirmed that he had a private chat with Smith about the bombshell changes that were announced this week by the PGA Tour.
The other players expected to join the LIV Golf Tour are Anirban Lahiri, Harold Varner III and Marc Leishman.
Cameron Young, who is expected to be crowned the PGA Tour's Rookie of The Year, is rumoured to be mulling over a deal.
Joaquin Niemann is the only player who has confirmed publicly that he is also weighing up his options. He said he will make up his mind after the conclusion of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Hideki Matsuyama is reported to have decided to stay with the PGA Tour.
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