COLUMBUS, Ohio — RBC has severed its ties with Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell after the PGA Tour players were included in the field for the first event of the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
In a statement to ESPN, a spokesman for RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) wrote: “As a result of professional golfers Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell’s decision to play the opener of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, RBC is terminating its sponsorship agreement with both players . We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”
Johnson, a two-time Major champion, was one of the biggest surprises among the 42 players cleared for the LIV opener, taking place June 9-11 at the Centurion Club outside of London. It coincides with the RBC Canadian Open in Ontario, which will be played June 9-12. The bank is also sponsoring the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina in mid-April.
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RBC signed Johnson to a multi-year sponsorship deal in February 2018 when he was the No. 1 player in the world. He is currently ranked 13th in the official golf world rankings, making him the highest ranked player in the LIV field.
A spokesman for TaylorMade, which has a multi-year contract with Johnson to play his balls and racquets, declined to comment when contacted by ESPN.
UPS previously ended its relationship with Lee Westwood, who also plans to compete in London.
Johnson, whose 24 PGA Tour wins include wins at the 2016 US Open and the 2020 Masters, had previously said he was “completely committed” to staying on the Tour and he was “grateful for the opportunity to be on to play the best tour in the world.”
Johnson’s agent David Winkle issued a statement Tuesday.
“Dustin has thought about this opportunity on and off for the last several years,” Winkle wrote. “Ultimately, he decided it was in his own interest and that of his family to pursue it. Dustin has never had a problem with the PGA Tour and is grateful for all it has given him, but in the end he felt this was too compelling to pass high.”
McDowell, 42, has four wins on the PGA Tour, including the 2010 US Open.