Dustin Johnson Resigns From PGA Tour To Play In Saudi-Backed LIV League

Dustin JohnsonThe playing days on the PGA Tour are over – at least for now – the golfing superstar has just announced that he is resigning his membership in order to play full-time in the Saudi-backed LIV league .

DJ broke the news during a meeting with members of the media at the Centurion Club near London on Tuesday… just days before he tees off for the first time at a LIV Golf Invitational Series event.

“For now,” Johnson said, “I’m resigning my Tour membership. I’m going to play here for now, and that’s the plan.”

The new league – which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund – has been controversial, due to the country’s history of human rights abuses.

Golfers who have defected from the league have been accused of taking a lot of money to play and effectively helping the country “cleanse sports” of that toll.

Additionally, the PGA Tour has not been friendly with the rival league…threatening suspensions and bans for golfers who accept the invitation to play there.

Johnson – who would have received around $125million to play golf in the new league – said the decision to leave the Tour ultimately came down to “what’s best for me and my family”.

Now ineligible for the Ryder Cup, Johnson said he was unsure whether he would be allowed to compete in major golf events here.

Other golfing superstars, meanwhile, have joined in Johnson’s decision to play in the league – including, Phil Mickelson revealed on Monday that he too had accepted the invitation. He has not yet officially resigned from the Tour, however.

Best Golfers Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na and Sergio Garcia also joined. Tiger Woodshowever, reportedly turned down a “nine-figure” offer to play.