DP World Tour members who played in the first LIV Golf event last month without permission had been fined and banned from the tournament, plus two other events co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour.

However, following a hearing before Sport Resolutions (UK) on Monday, the suspensions imposed on Harding, Poulter and Adrian Otaegui were temporarily stayed, pending determination of their substantive appeals.

Harding's fellow South African Branden Grace – who won the second LIV event in Portland – was also added to the field on Tuesday, but while he returned a 69 and Otaegui a 71, Poulter slumped to an eight-over-par 78 on Thursday.

Harding was reluctant to go into detail about how he, Poulter and Otaegui were the only players named in Monday's appeal decision, but added: "I think there were a couple of us who wanted to see if we could fight and get the opportunity to play this week. I was one of them.

One of four late additions to the field from the LIV Golf event in Portland, Justin Harding returned a 65 on day one. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

"I don't know who was involved in the decision-making. But we put a letter in and waited to see what the result was."

Rory McIlroy admits the decision of LIV Golf players to insist on their right to also compete on the DP World Tour is creating resentment, while Billy Horschel accused some of the rebels of being "hypocrites” and “liars" in his pre-tournament press conference.

"I am by no means a fighter, I'm not confrontational so it's an awkward situation to be in," Harding admitted.

"I was a little upset I was told I could not play. I have supported the European Tour for a long period and I'm happy to continue to do so. I've not had too many issues (with other players). There's times when it's a little uncomfortable but we have to look after ourselves.

"I have not signed a contract with LIV so I feel like I am in a slightly different position. I've played in the ones I've got into via an order of merit or world rankings and I have no idea if I'm in the next one."

"I've had some flashes of brilliance in the last couple of months but this was a special day for sure." - Cameron Tringale.

Harding has earned more than $US1.1 million ($1.6 million) from the individual element of the two LIV Golf events to date, finishing in a tie for 10th at Centurion Club in Hertfordshire and tied eighth in Portland.

"It was an invitational, it was worth a bucketload of money and I felt I could play in it," he added of the inaugural event.

Harding's 65 set the early clubhouse target but was surpassed in spectacular fashion by American Cameron Tringale, who made nine birdies in 11 holes, including six in a row from the 10th, on his way to a course record-equalling 61.

"I've had some flashes of brilliance in the last couple of months but this was a special day for sure," said Tringale, who won a team event with Jason Day in 2014 but has yet to taste victory in an individual PGA Tour event.

On nine under par Tringale held a three-shot lead over former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland, who recorded an eagle and four birdies in his bogey-free 64.

Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose all shot 68, while U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick returned a 71 and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler struggled to a 73.

Cameron Smith was the best of the Aussie contingent at two-under after round one when defending champion Min Woo Lee opened with a disappointing 77.