Former US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau Joins Saudi-Backed Rebel Golf Series

Former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau has become the latest star to sign up to the rebel LIV Golf series, the organisers announced on Friday. The 28-year-old American joins a clutch of fellow major winners including Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson in joining the breakaway circuit, which is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. His unveiling, during the second round of the $25 million inaugural event near London, came 24 hours after the US PGA Tour said any members who joined the rival series would be banned.

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, who is expected to sign more players ahead of the second event in Portland, Oregon, starting on June 30, welcomed the signing of the 2020 US Open champion.

"Bryson DeChambeau is an exciting addition to LIV Golf's supercharged style of play," he said.

"He is passionate about the sport, innovative in his approach and committed to pushing the boundaries in pursuit of excellence.

"He's not afraid to think outside the box and supports our mission of doing things differently to grow our game."

The decision marks a dramatic U-turn for DeChambeau, who in February committed himself to the US-based PGA Tour.

"While there has been a lot of speculation surrounding my support for another tour, I want to make it very clear that as long as the best players in the world are playing the PGA Tour, so will I," DeChambeau wrote at the time.

That pledge came after two-time major winner Johnson had also committed himself to the PGA Tour.

The signing of DeChambeau, currently ranked 28th in the world with 10 professional victories under his belt, is a big coup for the Saudi-backed series.

Two-time major Martin Kaymer, who is also playing at the LIV opener in St Albans, welcomed the arrival of