The league supported by Saudi funds was launched this year with eight tournaments that came into direct conflict with the traditional USPGA circuits in the United States and DP World Tour (former European PGA Tour) in Europe.

A dissident coup that has created deep divisions within the sport, with several big names agreeing to join the lucrative LIV Golf.

Among these players recruited by former Australian world No.1 Greg Norman, general manager of LIV Golf, are Americans Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, all former Major winners.

American Phil Mickelson, January 27, 2022, during the La Jolla tournament in California Donald MIRALLE GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives

LIV (denomination corresponding to the Roman numeral 54, i.e. the sum of three courses of eighteen holes) affirmed on Wednesday that forty-eight players and twelve teams will compete in fourteen tournaments next year, with a total of 405 million dollars in prize money (400.6 M EUR).

Former world No.1 Dustin Johnson at a press conference on June 7, 2022 at the Centurion Club in St Albans, north London ADRIAN DENNIS AFP

The organizers stressed, however, that the calendar "would not compete with major tournaments or international team events".

The full list of tournaments will be announced shortly.

American players who have joined LIV Golf have been suspended from the PGA Tour until further notice and will therefore not be able to participate in the Ryder Cup, a team tournament between the United States and Europe every two years.

The DP World Tour, for its part, fined its members who participated in the first LIV tournament in London last month, and banned them from three tournaments, but no suspension was issued.

South African Charl Schwartzel poses with LIV Golf Executive Director Greg Norman of Australia after winning the inaugural LIV Golf International Series tournament on June 11, 2022 at the Centurion Club course in St Alban, England Adrian DENNIS AFP/Archives

The third LIV Golf tournament begins Friday in Bedminster, New Jersey.

© 2022 AFP