DeChambeau joins Saudi golf series; Schwartzel leads in UK

ST. ALBANS, England (AP) ” Former U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau became the latest big name to sign on with the Saudi-funded breakaway series LIV Golf, and Charl Schwartzel remained on course Friday to win the maximum prize of $4.75 million at its inaugural event outside London. That kind of big money has already convinced a long line of leading golfers ” although none from the top 10 so far ” to accept offers from the series bankrolled by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. DeChambeau is yet to explain why he made an about-turn to join that list, having previously said he would continue playing on the PGA Tour. That may not be possible now, as the PGA Tour announced Thursday that players who defect to the renegade series will face banishment from future tour events. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]