At the beginning of June, we will witness the first event of the Saudi-backed $25 million LIV Golf Invitational Series at the Centurion Club. So far, we know the venue, date, prize money, and series schedule, but not the field.
However, that factor now appears to be changing, with a report in The Telegraph stating that the number of players who have applied to play in the event from the DP World Tour approaches 40, with the deadline for submissions on Monday.
This number is higher than expected, especially since it has been reported that about 80 PGA Tour pros have requested to be released to play for the Centurion Club within a month. So far, we know that Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Richard Bland, Phil Mickelson and Martin Kaymer have made requests, with the likes of Ian Poulter and Louis Oustoizen also linked.
Perhaps the positive thing about the tours is that the roster allegedly consists of players over the age of 30, with a tour insider telling The Telegraph: “Most players who have applied have no idea if they will actually be in the field, as it is limited to 48 inches
The source also added, “We didn’t expect so many regular pros to ask to play, although the first place at $4 million and the last place at $120,000, perhaps should have been expected. There are some surprising names but most of them are veterans. A few. Very much from people under the age of 20 which is a good thing.”
Kaymer and Westwood were number one in the world successfully recruited by the LIV Golf Invitational Series
(Image source: Getty Images)
Monday will prove to be an important day for all involved, as players on the PGA Tour find out if they will be given permission to play in June, while players on the DP World Tour must submit their applications by then.
Although the PGA Tour is expected to confirm that it will grant permission for its members to appear at the Centurion Club, the DP World Tour is likely to be different, with tour members likely to face penalties amid a growing sense of not giving permission to those looking to play.
Along with the LIV Golf Invitational Series, DP World Tour CEO Keith Bailey is also reported to have received applications from players for the Asian Tour International Series event that kicks off a week before the tournament at Centurion.