Phil Mickelson has formally requested permission to participate in the first of Greg Norman's LIV Golf International Series events in June.
Earlier this year, Mickelson caused controversy by some of the comments that he attributed to the perceived stagnation of the PGA Tour and potential opportunities offered by a series of Saudi Arabia-backed events.
The American is yet to return to the PGA Tour and although that remains a possibility going forward, the 51-year-old wants to play in the first tournament on what will be perceived to be a rival tour, that competition being staged at the Centurion Club in England.
Steve Loy, the co-president of Mickelson's management company SportFive, said: "This request complies with the deadline of 25 April set forth by the PGA Tour to compete in a conflicting tour event."
Loy added: "Phil currently has no concrete plans on when and where he will play. Any actions taken are in no way a reflection of a final decision made, but rather to keep all options open."
As it stands, Norman has failed to attract the high-profile players that he and his financial backers had hoped, although a report on Monday suggested that 15 of the world's top 100 could still line up in Hertfordshire in June 9.
Darren Plant
