Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson has been confirmed as the latest player to join LIV Golf.

Watson is currently sidelined with a knee injury which has kept him out of action since May’s US PGA Championship, but will attend the next event in Boston in September as an “off-course captain”.

The left-hander is not expected to play until next season, when the Saudi-backed breakaway expands to a 14-event LIV Golf League.

Watson won the Masters in 2012 and 2014 and reached a career-high of second in the world in February 2015, but has not tasted victory since winning three times in 2018 and is currently 86th in the rankings.

“Bubba Watson is a tremendous addition to LIV Golf – another major champion joining the growing list of stars on our teams,” LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said.

“His game combines the power, innovation and excitement that the LIV Golf brand represents.

“He’s a risk-taker who has cemented his name among the world’s very best and we’re eager for him to come aboard to bring new energy and audiences to this league.”

The announcement of Watson’s participation was made during the first round of the third LIV Golf event at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey, where two more major champions shared the lead after 18 holes.

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed and 2016 Open winner Henrik Stenson both shot seven under par, with Stenson’s decision to join the breakaway having cost him the Ryder Cup captaincy.

“I have to be extremely pleased with my focus because it’s been pretty busy the last 10 days,” said Stenson, whose tenure as European captain lasted just 127 days.