Dustin Johnson, two-time major winner, has resigned his PGA Tour membership on Tuesday. The World No 13 golfer said he wants to participate in the new series backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, LIV Golf Invitational, which starts on June 9. 

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The tournament’s first edition will see 48 players on 12 teams contest for a $25 million prize money. 

Johnson on Tuesday said that he “had to think long and hard” about leaving the PGA Tour. With the decision, the 37-year-old has seemingly ended his hopes of competing in the Ryder Cup for the United States.

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“Ultimately, I decided to come and do this. I’m excited about this. Obviously the Ryder Cup is unbelievable and something that has meant a lot to me. … Hopefully I’ll get a chance to do that again, but I don’t make the rules,” Johnson said at Centurion Club. 

The LIV Golf Invitational is not recognised by the Official Golf World Ranking (OWGR), which means no world ranking points will be on offer during the tournament. Ryder Cup champions Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are among the most notable names who have confirmed their participation. The likes of Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Louis Oosthuizen are also on the list.  

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Dustin Johnson has an average of 4.570 this season. He has a total of 196.50 points and will be the highest-ranked player in the field. His last win was the Saudi International in 2021. He has held the No. 1 spot in the world longer than any player since Tiger Woods.

“I chose what is best for me and my family,” Johnson said, explaining his decision to join the Saudi venture fronted by Greg Norman.

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Speaking alongside Johnson, former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell said he had yet to give up his PGA membership.

“I don’t feel I need to,” he said. “I don’t want to get into a legal situation with the PGA Tour.”