Bryson DeChambeau has signed up to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series.
The American, 28, will join the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Lee Westwood on the breakaway tour with its inaugural tournament taking place at the Centurion Club in St Albans this week.
DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open winner, will appear in the series’ second event in Portland, Orgeon later this month where close to £20million in prize money will be up for grabs.
His decision to link up with the rebel tour will result in a suspension from the PGA Tour who confirmed on Thursday that all members playing in LIV Golf events will be refused entry into their tournaments.
LIV Golf’s frontman Greg Norman was pleased to sign DeChambeau and said: ‘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.’
De Chambeau is likely to bring publicity to LIV Golf due to his long hitting and nickname the ‘mad scientist’.
After struggling to attract the game’s top stars, Norman now has eight major winners signed up to his tour, with Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson also thought to be close to joining.
LIV Golf’s first event in Hertfordshire will be followed by seven more across the United States and Asia later this year.
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