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The Saudi-backed Inaugural LIV Golf Tournament unveiled its list of 42 participants on Tuesday — set to compete at the upcoming event in London.
Along those names appeared, to the surprise of many, two-time major champion Dustin Johnson. Johnson was expected to forgo the LIV tourney after comments made at the PGA Championship, hinting that he’ll skip the event.
Tiger Woods helps Masters' champion Dustin Johnson with his green jacket after his victory at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga., in this Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Tuesday’s announcement proved he had different plans.
"I think golf is in a good spot, and I think what they’re doing … could potentially be good for the game of golf. I’m excited to see what happens here in a few weeks," Johnson said at the Championship, adding that he’ll be watching from home.
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Johnson’s agent issued a response, via New York Post’s Brian Wacker.
"Dustin has been contemplating the opportunity off-and-on for the past couple of years. Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family’s best interest to pursue it," the statement read. "Dustin has never had any issue with the PGA TOUR and is grateful for all it has given him, but in the end, felt this was too compelling to pass up."
Dustin Johnson reacts to a missed put on the fourth green during the third round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Saturday, June 26, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Flaunting a $25 million purse, the inaugural 54-hole golfing spectacle drew in 16 of the world’s top 100 golf players, including six former major champions as relayed by Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig.
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Initial reactions to Johnson’s inclusion sparked comments over ditching the PGA Championship (which may incur a penalty) and whether Johnson hid his interest to avoid a similar backlash directed at the outspoken Phil Mickelson.
Lefty was the most notable omission from the list. His past strongly worded comments on the Saudis’ backing incited debate among circles of the golf community, which Johnson potentially had in mind in his PGA interview.
FILE - Phil Mickelson walks off the 14th green after missing a birdie putt during the third round at the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course, Saturday, May 22, 2021, in Kiawah Island, S.C. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
In Tuesday’s announcement, only 42 players were announced, leaving potential for Mickelson to still join the 48-man list.
The remaining six spots will be assigned to victors of this week’s International Series event in London, notes Harig.
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List of 42/48 LIV players:
Oliver Bekker, South Africa
Richard Bland, England
Laurie Canter, England
Ratchanon Chantananuwat (amateur), Thailand
Hennie Du Plessis, South Africa
Oliver Fisher, England
Sergio Garcia, Spain
Talor Gooch, USA
Branden Grace, South Africa
Justin Harding, South Africa
Sam Horsfield, England
Dustin Johnson, USA
Matt Jones, Australia
Sadom Kaewkanjana, Thailand
Martin Kaymer, Germany
Phachara Khongwatmai, Thailand
Sihwan Kim, USA
Ryosuke Kinoshita, Japan
Chase Koepka, USA
Jinichiro Kozuma, Japan
Pablo Larrazabal, Spain
Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland
Jediah Morgan, Australia
Kevin Na, USA
Shaun Norris, South Africa
Andy Ogletree, USA
Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa
Wade Ormsby, Australia
Adrian Otaegui, Spain
Turk Pettit, USA
James Piot (amateur), USA
Ian Poulter, England
David Puig (amateur), Spain
JC Ritchie, South Africa
Charl Schwartzel, South Africa
Hudson Swafford, USA
Hideto Tanihara, Japan
Peter Uihlein, USA
Scott Vincent, Zimbabwe
Lee Westwood, England
Bernd Wiesberger, Austria
Blake Windred, Australia