Two PGA Tour winners have become the latest stars to jump ship to the Saudi-backed rebel tour, according to multiple reports.
Carlos Ortiz and Matthew Wolff are set to be included in the 48-man field to play the second LIV Golf Invitational series event at Pumpkin Ridge in Portland this month. The pair will join Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Abe Ancer in making their LIV debuts, with £20.3 million available in prize money.
Their defection represents the latest hammer blow to the PGA Tour, who have suspended all players involved in Greg Norman's venture. The DP European Tour have also dished out fines and barred the individuals involved from competing in the Scottish Open.
Mexican player Ortiz, 31, played his debut season on the Tour in 2019, registering his maiden win the following year at the Houston Open. Having previously reached 44th in the world rankings, he has seemingly regressed in the past two years, and is yet to finish higher than 55th in a major championship.
But whilst his move his unlikely to cause major ripples, the signing of Wolff, 23, is a significant capture. Unlike high-profile names like Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, and Phil Mickleson, the American has seemingly made the move whilst his best years are still ahead of him.
There has been considerable speculation about his future for many weeks, with cbssports now reporting both him and Ortiz have finalised deals. Upon turning professional in 2019, the former Oklahoma State University graduate won in just his third event at the 3M Open.
In 2020, he made waves when he led after three rounds of the US Open at Winged Foot. Despite eventually finishing second to DeChambeau, he would later reach as high as No 12 in the world that year.
A dramatic loss of form has since seen him drop out of the top 100, but Wolff is still considered a hot prospect in US golf. And he recently finished off at the Travelers Championship with a four-under 66, leaving him in a tie for 40th place.
And he will now reportedly take his place in the next LIV Golf tournament, which like the first event at The Centurion Club this month, will be played over 54-holes. Shotgun starts, team golf, and no cut will also be replicated.
The issue continues to prove divisive, with Rory McIlroy accusing player of being 'duplicitous' after initially many initially distanced themselves from a big-money move. US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick has also revealed he dissuaded his own brother from joining.
Regardless, Norman's venture is undoubtedly gathering pace. And 'The Great White Shark' has also pledged to fund the legal battles of any star sanctioned by their former tour bosses.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has already admitted the American-based circuit can not compete in an "arm race of dollar bills" against their new rivals. He also accused the LIV tour of making an "attempt to buy the game of golf.”
