Ian Poulter expects more big names to sign up for Saudi-backed LIV Series

Ian Poulter says it is inevitable more of the world’s best golfers will be tempted by the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Series, with Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed expected to be the next to sign up for the sport’s rebel tour.

Poulter is among those participating in the inaugural LIV event, worth $25m (£19.9m), at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire. The tournament lasts 54 holes and features a team element. Dustin Johnson and Sergio García have resigned PGA Tour membership in order to focus on LIV tournaments. The imminent involvement of DeChambeau and Reed would be a further blow to golf’s existing ecosystem.

“I definitely see other top players watching on this week and wanting to be a part of it,” Poulter, the world No 92, said. “There’s a huge investment coming into the game of golf and sport in general. Definitely, other players will be looking in with interest this week and I think they will want to come and see what it’s all about.

“The team format has always been something which most people have always gravitated to and had their best time on the golf course. So it is a vast sum of money, but it’s a great platform to be able to build the game of golf and give back at the same time.”

Curiously, as recently as last week DeChambeau appeared to rule out LIV participation. “I personally don’t think that at this point in time I’m in a place in my career where I can risk things like that,” he said at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio.

If, as anticipated, the former US Open champion’s change of heart is confirmed in the coming days he is likely to be in the field for the LIV event in Oregon from 30 June. DeChambeau is known to have given close consideration to playing here in Hertfordshire but his plans were disrupted by