Bryson DeChambeau has signed with LIV Golf and will compete in the second tournament.

The announcement came midway through the second round of the rival tour's debut event at the Centurion Club outside of London on Friday. "Bryson has always been innovative," said Brett Falkoff, DeChambeau's manager, on Wednesday, referring to DeChambeau's decision to defect for the LIV series. Having the chance to get in on the ground floor of something new has always piqued his interest."

The PGA Tour has suffered a significant – and unexpected – blow with DeChambeau's departure.

The 28-year-old is one of the game's greatest draws, most contentious characters, and most talked-about individuals; winning the 2020 U.S. Open was ranked fifth in the Tour's Player Impact Program, which was created to determine which players had the most significant impact on the game. Three top seven players on that list have already left for LIV Golf, with Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson competing on the breakaway circuit.

DeChambeau has long been linked to the Saudi-backed tour, but he said in February that he would continue to compete on the PGA Tour as long as the greatest players in the world were present. He restated that attitude only last week at the Memorial, telling reporters that he will be remaining with the PGA Tour for the time being. "I don't believe that at this point in my career, I'm in a position where I can take risks like that," he remarked.

 The agreement to sign DeChambeau was alleged to have come together in days.LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman commented, "Bryson DeChambeau is an intriguing addition to LIV Golf's turbocharged style of play in a statement announcing the change. "He is devoted to the sport, imaginative in his approach, and dedicated to pushing the limits in the quest of excellence." He isn't scared to think outside the box and believes in our mission to expand our game by doing things differently. Our competitors in Portland and beyond will be energised by the force and passion he brings to the course."

DeChambeau, who has no plans to retire from the PGA Tour, will compete in the LIV's second event, which begins June 30 at Pumpkin Ridge in Oregon. In addition to the U.S. Open next week, DeChambeau is still listed in the field for the Tour's Travelers Championship, which will be held June 23-26. Any present or future players who compete in LIV events will be suspended indefinitely, according to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.

DeChambeau has had a disappointing season, missing two months due to hand surgery. He also had to contend with a partial labrum injury in his left hip. As a result, he has only one top-25 finish in six events and is ranked 219th worldwide. In the FedExCup standings, he is now ranked 28th in the globe. He missed the cut in his comeback to competition at the Memorial Tournament last week.