Justin Rose makes decision on Saudi-backed golf rebel tour

The 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose says he will not play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series.

The breakaway tour, which has eight events scheduled this year, is set to start next month at the Centurion Club in St Albans and will boast a purse of $25 million.

Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson confirmed his intention to play in the series earlier this month and was heavily criticised for his support of the Saudis considering their poor record on human rights, which has been criticised by organisations including Amnesty International in response to the nation’s increasing involvement in elite level sporting competitions.

Rose, a former World No.1, believes each golfer should be free to make up their own minds but confirmed he is not interested in featuring on the new tour ‘for the foreseeable future’.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: ‘I am not (going to play in the LIV Golf Invitational series), not this season, not in the foreseeable future.

‘I am curious, as everyone is, to see how this plays out and I don’t think any less (of the players hoping to play). I have no judgment on that. I have played golf in Saudi Arabia.

‘You have to make decisions that are right for you. You are a professional golfer, it’s your job. If there is an opportunity and it is valid, then it is an avenue that should be open and available to you.’

On Wednesday, Lee Westwood and British masters winner Richard Bland announced they have also asked for permission to play in LIV Golf’s first event.

The news follows on from a report in the Telegraph last month which suggested that other golfers such as Ian Poulter, Kevin Na and Bubba Watson were close to signing up with the tour’s figurehead Greg Norman.

Both the PGA and DP World