Attracting the likes of Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, first stop for the rebel Tour is in England where the news of players quitting the PGA Tour and the USGA allowing LIV starters into next week’s U.S. Open has been the primary focus.

Offering eye watering amounts of money and a new format, the eight event series contains both an individual and team element, with the first seven tournaments played around the world before the team finale at Doral in Miami.

Players compete over 54 holes with a shotgun start, the individual money dolled out via a strokeplay format with the four player teams using the two best scores over the first two days before three scores count on the third and final day.

Much has been made of the source of the money for Norman’s Tour and even the naming and basic logos for the teams this week, with one thing remaining to be seen, just what the actual product looks like.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Inaugural event.

COURSE: No stranger to hosting non-traditional Tour events, Centurion Club west of St. Albans in Hertfordshire takes centre stage as the inaugural host of LIV Golf.

RIGHT: All eyes will be on major winning Americans Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson when play gets underway on Thursday. PHOTO: Aitor Alcalde/LIV Golf/Getty Images.

Opened for play in 2013, the exclusive private club has previously been the site of the Ladies European Tour’s Aramco Series as well as the DP World Tour’s Golf Sixes.

Designed by relative unknown Simon Gidman, a previous employee of Martin Hawtree’s design firm, Centurion tips out a little over 7,000 yards and is something of a course in three parts, with the early holes played in the woodlands before a more open setting greets players in the middle of the round followed by the home holes back in the woodland.

Planted fescue areas, expansive hazards and pure rolling bentgrass greens featuring significant undulations are the flavour of the day at Centurion. The numerous teeing options on offer at each hole allowing for some variations in setup each day to Norman and his team.

PRIZEMONEY: US$25,000,000 ($20 million for the individual event; $5 million to be split among the leading teams)

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Many have been surprised with some of the names in the initial field that was announced late last week, but the player that all eyes will unquestionably be on is Phil Mickelson as he makes his return from a self-imposed hiatus.

Appearing in public for the first time in months at the LIV opening event sporting a scraggly beard and deer in the headlights expression, Mickelson disappeared from view after his comments on the Saudis, PGA Tour and more were made public ahead of the release of the unauthorised biography on him by Alan Shipnuck.

The closing holes of the Centurion Club that will host LIV Golf's first event this week. PHOTO: David Cannon/Getty Images.

Mickelson skipped The Masters and his title defence at the PGA Championship, and reports of his time in exile have been varied and unsubstantiated. One of the main tenets of Shipnuck’s book is to remind readers just how good a player ‘Lefty’ was in his prime, and to see the state of six-time major winner’s game this week will be appointment viewing.

Mickelson will also continue his career long quest for a U.S. Open title and the career grand slam next week, a prospect that will only be considered a reality if he shows any semblance of form this week.

Of the other big names, Dustin Johnson is the marquee man that Norman and co have hitched their wagon to, and the American hasn’t exactly had his best stuff of late.

Missing the cut at the PGA and the RBC Heritage either side of a share of 59th in Texas, Johnson has been guaranteed a huge sum of money to leave behind his ties with the PGA Tour (and Ryder Cup) and it will be interesting to watch his engagement levels with the competition over the coming weeks and months. And whether him winning the opening event is the best outcome for LIV concept, or in fact a lesser known walking away with pockets full of cash will better attract other top players.

There will be plenty of interest around the more established players as to whether their play in any way matches the investment to bring them into the fold, while a number of younger players get a big chance.

Of the Aussies, Jed Morgan is still looking to find the golf that delivered the Aussie PGA, whereas Travis Smyth arrives fresh of a close call at the International Series last week and could give himself a substantial financial float for the coming years with a good finish here.

The youngest player in the field, Ratchanon Chantananuwat will get a bigger stage to show his immense talents this week having become the youngest winner on the Asian Tour earlier this year.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Matt Jones, Jed Morgan, Travis Smyth, Kevin Yuan, Wade Ormsby and Blake Windred.

TV TIMES*
Beginning at 11pm (AEST) coverage will be available via the LIV Golf website, YouTube and Facebook channels.