The professional golf scene is buzzing as Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed join the ranks of the Saudi-funded rebel circuit. The two American players, both known for their polarizing personalities, are set to secure massive payouts by joining the £200 million LIV Golf Invitational, a league explicitly created to challenge the PGA Tour's long-standing authority.
The official announcement for both players is expected before the first 54-hole tournament concludes. Additionally, Rickie Fowler is reportedly close to finalizing his move to the breakaway league, which opens today at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire. As for DeChambeau and Reed, they are slated to appear at the second tournament in Portland starting July 3rd.
While the inaugural LIV Golf event near London features several top-tier names, many of them are currently struggling with their form, which might lower the overall competitiveness of the field. In contrast, DeChambeau and Reed remain at the peak of their abilities. DeChambeau, specifically, has built a massive following thanks to his incredible distance and power in his drives since winning the 2020 US Open.
Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters winner, brings a gritty and bold playing style to the tour. At 31, he has a proven track record of performing under pressure in the sport's biggest moments, boasting 12 victories across the US and Europe and top-10 finishes in all four major championships.
The roster of PGA Tour players defecting to LIV Golf this week is growing, featuring names like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Louis Oosthuizen, among others. Despite the star power, only Johnson (15th) and Oosthuizen (21st) are currently ranked in the world's top 30. Nevertheless, the media spotlight will likely intensify once DeChambeau enters the fray.
That said, 2022 hasn't been an easy year for the duo. DeChambeau has struggled significantly, failing to make the cut in four of his most recent five outings. Similarly, Reed has seen a dip in performance, finishing outside the top 25 in 12 of his 14 appearances this season.
Both players are still expected to tee off at next week's U.S. Open near Boston. The USGA has confirmed that any players who had already qualified for the tournament will be allowed to compete, regardless of their affiliation with the LIV Golf circuit.