Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson joins Henrik Stenson as she moves on to the recently launched LIV Tour of golf with Saudi support.
The American and former world number two, currently ranked 86, has been out with the injury since May and says he will not play in the resumed round until next year as he continues to recover from right knee surgery.
The controversial tour, which is funded by the Saudi state investment fund PIF, is accused of being part of the so-called sports washing, which is a way for Saudi Arabia to use sport to discredit it when it comes to, for example, human rights.
Even Swedish golf superstar Henrik Stenson recently changed play on the US PGA Tour and European Tour to play on the LIV Tour. Stenson had to endure criticism for his selection, which cost him, among other things, leading the Ryder Cup team in Europe.
LIV Tour competitions differ from PGA and European Tour competitions in many ways, including the fact that players represent teams and not only compete individually. The prize money is obviously higher too.
According to Watson, he is particularly drawn to the team’s side and plans to join the LIV Tour as a non-player team captain until he’s ready to compete again.