Louis Oosthuizen

SA’s top-ranked golfer Louis Oosthuizen has sensationally quit the PGA Tour in order to play in the breakaway LIV Golf Invitational Series. Photo: Getty Images

BOMBSHELL: Louis Oosthuizen quits PGA Tour for LIV Golf Invitational Series

SA’s top-ranked golfer Louis Oosthuizen has sensationally quit the PGA Tour in order to play in the breakaway LIV Golf Invitational Series.

Louis Oosthuizen

SA’s top-ranked golfer Louis Oosthuizen has sensationally quit the PGA Tour in order to play in the breakaway LIV Golf Invitational Series. Photo: Getty Images

South Africa’s top-ranked golfer Louis Oosthuizen has sensationally quit the PGA Tour in order to pursue playing in the breakaway LIV Golf Invitational Series.

RIP | PGA TOUR WINNER KILLED IN TRAGIC CAR ACCIDENT

Oosthuizen, ranked 21st in the latest world rankings, confirmed as much at a press conference at Centurion Club, near London, on Tuesday ahead of the opening event of the Saudi-backed series which starts on Thursday, 9 June.

Louis Oosthuizen, the pride of Mossel Bay, gave his reasons for turning his back on the PGA Tour.

IMAGE | KZN FLOODS: DURBAN COUNTRY CLUB UNDER WATER – INSANE PICTURE!

“For me, where I am at in my career, it would’ve probably been the last year on the PGA Tour,” Oosthuizen told reporters.

“I always said, when I get to the stage around 40, I want to do something else and not just golf. I wanted to try something else. 

“Everyone knows I love being on a farm and being outside, so I was almost done. And along came this opportunity, where I can do four years of this quickly and be able to spend more time with my family after this. 

“The format and the way this is all set up is so exciting and it reminded me of being part of the Presidents Cup and I just said, ‘Why not give it a shot?’

“I made the decision with my wife and what’s the best for where I am right now and I’m going to grab it and play. I’m a professional golfer and this is decent amount of money that we play for, so why not?”

Oosthuizen will turn 40 in October this year.

READ | UPS CUTS TIES WITH LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN OVER SAUDI TOUR LINK

In addition to Oosthuizen’s shock announcement, his two compatriots Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace also quit the PGA Tour.

Louis Oosthuizen and 7 other South Africans in the field

As reported by The South African website, no fewer than EIGHT South Africans will contest the first LIV Series tournament.

They are Oosthuizen, Grace, Schwartzel, Oliver BekkerHennie du PlessisJustin HardingShaun Norris and JC Ritchie.

Meanwhile, former world number one Dustin Johnson also confirmed on Tuesday that he has resigned his membership of the PGA Tour to play in the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

The 37-year-old is reportedly receiving $150 million in appearance fees to play in the series.

READ | FORE! SA-BORN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP GOLFER HIT ON THE HEAD BY ERRANT TEE SHOT

Earlier, six-time major winner Phil Mickelson confirmed – as reported by The South African website – that he too had signed up to play in the inaugural LIV event in a major coup for the organisers.

Mickelson has not played since the publication of comments in February where he criticised the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s Saudi backers.

Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter are also among the 48-man field for the $25 million event at the Centurion Club.

The winner will walk away $4 million (R61 million) richer while the last-placed finisher in the no-cut field will earn $120 000 (R1.8 million).

Seems like a no-brainer!

READ | GARY PLAYER’S SON CONFIRMS LIFETIME BAN FROM MASTERS