McDowell sought to 'keep moral high ground' with PGA Tour

Graeme McDowell says it was a difficult decision to resign from the PGA Tour today, stating he wanted to keep the moral high ground by remaining a member while also partaking in the breakaway Saudi-financed LIV Golf Series.

The world number 374 again defended his decision the join the series that has divided the sport's players and led to accusation of sports washing as a basis behind the tournament.

The most lucrative golf tournament in history, the $25 million Invitational Series event at Centurion Club, got underway today, dwarfing the $8.7million on offer at the Canadian Open.

All 48 players in the field teed off at the same time in a "shotgun start", with former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel carded an opening five-under-par 65 to lead on day one.

Thirty minutes after play got under way, the PGA Tour sent a memo to all members informing them that the players competing at Centurion were being suspended.

Speaking today, the 2010 US Open champion McDowell revealed he tendered his resignation half an hour before he teed off and claimed he wanted to take the moral high ground with the PGA Tour.

"It was a tough decision. I wanted to keep the moral high ground and remain a member of the Tour because I really didn’t feel like I needed to resign, or that I should have to resign," he said.

"I resigned out of abundance of caution, honestly. I feel it puts me in a less litigious position with regards getting drawn in to anything unnecessary.

"I didn’t want to resign, I love the PGA Tour. It’s been great to me.

"This is about wanting to add on additional opportunities to my golf career.

Critics say the series, bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) amounts to blatant 'sports washing by a nation trying to improve its