Dustin Johnson headlines LIV Golf series opener with Phil Mickelson not listed
Phil Mickelson was not listed in the field, but Dustin Johnson found the offer "too compelling" to turn down.
Phil Mickelson was the surprise name left out of the field for the first event of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series at Centurion Club next week.
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Instead, the surprise came from former World No.1 Dustin Johnson who has been named in the field for the $25million opening event in St. Albans.
The 37-year-old two-time major winner was previously widely linked with the rebel circuit but released a statement in February pledging loyalty to the PGA Tour.
Now he appears to have gone back on his word which will surely enrage the Tour’s commissioner, Jay Monahan, as he ponders his next move.
Johnson’s agent, David Winkle, released a statement to various golf media outlets that said he’s never had “any issue” with the PGA Tour and he’s “grateful for all it’s given him”.
“But in the end, felt this was too compelling to pass up.” The statement added that Johnson has been pondering this offer for two years.
RBC, Johnson’s sponsor, described his decision as “extremely disappointing”. Greg Norman, LIV Golf Investment’s CEO, said “free agency has finally come to golf”.
Mickelson is not in the field. He could still turn up next week as his agent Steve Loy previously confirmed the 51-year-old has applied to the PGA Tour for a release.
The PGA Tour have previously issued threats of suspensions and bans if their members participate in this rebel league. They denied all requests for this tournament.
Other notables in the field include Louis Oosthuizen, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Talor Gooch, Martin Kaymer, Kevin Na and Ian Poulter.
That leaves six remaining spots for the 48-man field which will comprise of teams of four. There is also an individual element. The remaining players will be announced on 6 June.
More: How much do the tickets cost at Centurion Club?
Who is in the field?
LIV Golf Invitational London field:
Oliver Bekker
Richard Bland
Laurie Canter
TK Chantananuwat
Hennie Du Plessis
Oliver Fisher
Sergio Garcia
Talor Gooch
Branden Grace
Justin Harding
Sam Horsfield
Dustin Johnson
Matt Jones
Sadom Kaewkanjana
Martin Kaymer
Phachara Khongwatmai
Sihwan Kim
Ryosuke Kinoshita
Chase Koepka
Jinichiro Kozuma
Pablo Larrazabal
Graeme McDowell
Jediah Morgan
Kevin Na
Shaun Norris
Andy Ogletree
Louis Oosthuizen
Wade Ormsby
Adrian Otaegui
Turk Pettit
James Piot
Ian Poulter
David Puig
JC Ritchie
Charl Schwartzel
Hudson Swafford
Hideto Tanihara
Peter Uihlein
Scott Vincent
Lee Westwood
Bernd Wiesberger
Blake Windred
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Ben joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
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