Abraham Ancer has become the latest player to join LIV Golf ahead of the Saudi-backed breakaway series’ event in Portland at the end of this month.

The world No 20, who missed the US Open due to illness, was announced as one of LIV Golf’s new signings with confirmation of Brooks Koepka’s defection from the PGA Tour expected to follow.

They join Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Pat Perez in committing to LIV Golf following its inaugural event at Centurion Club earlier this month.

Charl Schwartzel earned an eye-watering £3.85m for winning in Hemel Hempstead, where the likes of Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson drew the most attention, however, the field is set to be significantly stronger in Portland as golf’s divide grows deeper.

The PGA Tour held a mandatory meeting for their members on Tuesday where they reportedly announced a new series of lucrative events of their own in an effort to stave off LIV’s land grab but it is expected that more players will still jump ship in the near future.

Koepka had dodged questions over joining LIV Golf at a bristling press conference ahead of the US Open last week, insisting he hadn’t given the prospect much thought and that the media were attempting to cast a “black cloud” over the major.

“I don’t understand,” he said. “I’m trying to focus on the US Open, man. I legitimately don’t get it. I’m tired of the conversations. I’m tired of all this stuff. Like I said, y’all are throwing a black cloud on the US Open. I think that sucks.”

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