Dustin Johnson has resigned from the PGA Tour in order to play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series.

The two-time major winner is one of the biggest names to sign up for the new league, and his loss represents a significant blow to the PGA Tour, of which he had been a member since 2007.

Johnson's decision to turn his back on the PGA Tour means he will be unable to complete in the Ryder Cup.

"It's too early to speak on what the consequences will be, but as of right now, I resigned my membership from PGA Tour, I'm going to play here for now, that's the plan," he told reporters.

"But what the consequence are going to be, I obviously can't comment on how the Tour is going to handle it.

"The majors, again I can't answer for the majors, but hopefully they'll allow us to play. Obviously I'm exempt for the majors, so I plan on playing there unless I hear otherwise."

Adding on the Ryder Cup, he said: "The Ryder Cup is unbelievable and has meant a lot to me, but ultimately I decided this was best for me and my family.

"All things are subject to change, and hopefully at some point it will change and I will get a chance to do that again."

The series, which had initially been known as the 'Super Golf League', is due to begin at the Centurion Club near London on Thursday.

For years there had been rumours of a Saudi-backed breakaway to rival the PGA Tour, and the vast sums of money being pumped into the series have attracted some big names.

Backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, each of the first seven regular season events have a purse of €25million and then the final team championship has €50m up for grabs, more than double that of the most lucrative event on the PGA Tour, The Players Championship.

The PGA Tour had vowed to ban players who signed up to the series, but that has not put off a host of individuals, with Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Talor Gooch, Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter among the most recognisable names listed on LIV Golf's player directory.

World number 17 Johnson is the highest-ranked player on the list, however, with the 2020 Masters champion reiterating what his agent previously said about his choice for signing up.

"I chose what's best for me and my family."