Greg Norman has pledged to "defend, reimburse and represent" any players facing sanctions by participating in the LIV Golf Invitational Series after being denied permission to do so by the PGA Tour. Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first 54-hole event at Centurion Club, which boasts a total prize fund of 25 million US dollars and 4m US dollars to the winner. However, PGA Tour members were informed on Tuesday that releases will not be granted, leaving them open to possible bans or fines if they do tee it up in St Albans from June 9-11.