Saudi Golf League 'unravelling' | Is the concept flawed?

The golfing world has been dominated by speculation around a possible Saudi-backed breakaway league, but can the plans survive when many of the world's top players have ruled themselves out?

Rory McIlroy said that the contentious proposal, spearheaded by LIV Golf Investments and former world No 1 Greg Norman, was "dead in the water" after a wave of golfers committed their allegiance to the PGA Tour.

Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau both released statements on social media to confirm they wouldn't sign up to the SGL, which is yet to announce details about tournaments and formats but reported to have a $1.5billion fund to try and lure players into a move.

Tiger Woods, world No 1 Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka are among the other high-profile players to elect against appearing in the SGL, with the latest Sky Sports Golf podcast debating whether the league can still go ahead without many of the sport's star names.

"The Saudis haven't come this far just to say 'oh, okay, we'll forget about it'," Jamie Spence told the Sky Sports Golf podcast. "They've come a long way and this has been going on for a long time, for many years in the background, to try and form this league.

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"I think the concept is just flawed. What about the mini Tours, the college system in the States, the Challenge Tour, the Q-schools and all these guys wanting to come through - what does Greg Norman think? That the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour are just going to become feeder Tours for this Saudi venture? It's a nonsense really."

Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson took aim at the PGA Tour for their supposed poor financial treatment