McIlroy dismisses Saudi Arabia-backed opener as not a ‘proper tournament’

Rory McIlroy has taken a swipe at the first event of the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway golf series by suggesting it is not a “proper tournament”.

The field for LIV Golf’s visit to the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire next week has now been partly confirmed, with inclusion of the former world No 1 Dustin Johnson the biggest surprise. Phil Mickelson’s name is not yet on the entry list for the $25m event but there is believed to be hope among tournament organisers that the six-times major winner will play. Mickelson has not played competitively since comments relating to Saudi Arabia were published in February. Greg Norman, who is fronting the LIV scheme, has been in regular contact with Mickelson.

Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio García and Martin Kaymer are confirmed entrants for the 54-hole contest. So, too, is Graeme McDowell – raising questions over his viability as a future European Ryder Cup captain. Yet many of the 42 players listed are relative unknowns, a point not missed on McIlroy.

“I certainly don’t think the field is anything to jump up and down about,” McIlroy said in the buildup to the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament. “Look at the field this week. Look at the field next week in Canada. They are proper golf tournaments.”

Johnson has sparked fury at the Royal Bank of Canada, who have sponsored him since 2018. The same company backs the Canadian Open, in which Johnson was due to participate – and for which he was part of the promotion – before accepting a hugely lucrative offer to feature in England.

“Together with our partners at RBC, we are disappointed to learn at this late stage that Dustin Johnson has made the decision to play in the LIV Golf event,” the Canadian Open said in a statement. RBC says it is