Phil Mickelson will end a four-month hiatus by taking part in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational.
The tournament comprising 48 players will begin on Friday, near London.
Mickelson notably joins Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia and three other major tournament winners.
The 54-hole competition will take place at the Centurion Club; there will be $25 million in prize money, including $4 million for the winner.
“I’m ready to return to the sport I love,” Mickelson said in a statement. After 32 years, this path is an exciting new start for me at this stage of my career. »
He said the new league would allow him to focus on a healthier approach to life, on and off the course.
Mickelson did not mention a signing amount. It would be surprising if he didn’t cash in at least $125m, the sum allegedly paid to Johnson.
Mickelson most recently played Feb. 6 at Saudi International, where he began to let his intentions show — he said the PGA Tour was driven by “very, very unpleasant greed,” in an interview with Golf Digest.
Two weeks later, Alan Shipnuck posted excerpts from his unauthorized Mickelson biography. In it, the golfer says he is well aware of human rights atrocities in Saudi Arabia, including the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Mickelson adds, however, that it’s worth getting involved if it can be an indirect way to bring change to the PGA Tour.
He said he and three other top players paid lawyers to draft the new league’s operating agreement.
He apologized for what he called reckless comments, without mentioning the PGA Tour.
Mickelson missed the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship he won last year at age 50, becoming the oldest to triumph at a major tournament.
In his statement Monday, Mickelson said he “empathizes” with those who disagree with his decision to leave the PGA Tour.
The LIV Invitational is part of a league funded primarily by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
“Mickelson’s contributions to golf and his connection to fans around the world cannot be overstated. We are grateful to have him,” said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf Investments.
“He adds to an exciting group of players in sight in London, where we are proud to launch a new era of golf. »
The PGA did not release any of the 14 members who signed up for the LIV tournament; the list also includes Louis Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel.
Mickelson’s name was omitted from the original list released on Tuesday.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Johnson, 15th in the world, received more than $125m to join.
It’s probably the end of Mickelson’s PGA career: Players who defect risk suspensions for breaking tour rules, playing overseas without a release.
Mickelson has 45 PGA victories and nearly $100 million in earnings, both on the PGA and on the Senior Tour.
He won a first tournament in 1991.
The LIV Golf Invitational is the first of eight tournaments scheduled by this rival circuit.
Five are to be held in the United States, including two on courses owned by former President Donald Trump.
At least five players on the LIV roster have dropped their PGA Tour memberships: Garcia, Oosthuizen, Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Kevin Na.