Dustin Johnson’s Agent Issues a Statement After the Golfer’s Name Appeared as the Headliner at Inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series Event

Golfer Dustin Johnson's name appeared as the headliner of the field for next week's inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series event.  The news came as a bit of a surprise since back in February Johnson said that he was fully committed to the PGA Tour and would not be participating in the Saudi-backed series.

It's also unknown how the PGA Tour plans to respond.  Earlier this year the Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, threatened to ban any player who participated in the event.  Johnson is the highest profile player mentioned, but he isn't the only PGA Tour player that will be participating.

Also named was Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Taylor Gooch, Charl Schwartzel and Graeme McDowell.  After the news came out Johnson released a statement through his agent David Winkle.

"Dustin has been contemplating the opportunity off-and-on for the past couple of years.  Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family’s best interest to pursue it.  Dustin has never had any issue with the PGA TOUR and is grateful for all it has given him, but in the end, felt this was too compelling to pass up."

The tournament will be played June 9-11 for a purse of $25 million with the outright winner receiving $4 million.  In addition to the prize money it is believed that big name players are receiving extra compensation for their appearance.

So it's the classic love story between man and money that has Johnson showing up for the event.