No Casey for the defence

Paul joins LIV despite previous claims about tournament held in Saudi Arabia

PAUL CASEY has become the latest player to join the Saudibacked LIV Golf Invitational Series, despite previously admitting he would be a 'hypocrite' to play in the Saudi International.

The 44-year-old is scheduled to compete in the third LIV Golf event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster later this month, although he has not played since March due to a back injury.

Casey, a former Unicef ambassador, opted out of the inaugural Saudi International on the European Tour in 2019, citing concerns over the country's human rights record.

In an interview in March that year, he said: "It just didn't sit well with me.

Signing a deal and being paid to be down there, I would be a hypocrite if I did that.

However, he later performed a U-turn and has played the event in each of the last two years.