The 2010 Open champion Oosthuizen and 2011 Masters champions, Schwartzel, resigned in order to compete in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational in London that tees off on Thursday.

The PGA Tour threatened that there will be consequences for any tour card holder that decides to play in the lucrative and controversial Saudi-back golf series.

Speaking at the Centurion Club in London ahead of this week’s event Oosthuizen explained that at this stage in his career, this season would have probably been his last on the PGA Tour.

“For me, where I am at in my career, it would've probably been the last year on the PGA Tour.

“I always said, when I get to the stage around 40, I want to do something else and not just golf. I wanted to try something else.

“Everyone knows I love being on a farm and being outside, so I was almost done. And along came this opportunity, where I can do four years of this quickly and be able to spend more time with my family after this.

“The format and the way this is all set up is so exciting and it reminded me of being part of the Presidents Cup and I just said, 'Why not give it a shot?'

“I made the decision with my wife and what's the best for where I am right now and I'm going to grab it and play. I'm a professional golfer and this is decent amount of money that we play for, so why not?”

The former world number one and two-time major winner, Dustin Johnson, is highest profile player to resign from the PGA Tour. The 2017 Masters winner, Sergio Garcia, of Spain and Kevin Na of the USA have also called it a day on the PGA Tour.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport