Watson puzzled by critics questioning LIV Golf assured cash

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson is not positive why LIV Golf gamers are being closely criticized by some PGA Tour gamers for taking assured cash from the brand new circuit.

Watson, 43, informed ESPN that he obtained assured look cash from sponsors and match organizers whereas enjoying on the PGA Tour, which wasn’t allowed below the Tour’s guidelines.

“It makes me chortle as a result of on the PGA Tour, I obtained paid behind closed doorways to point out up at tournaments, many tournaments,” Watson informed ESPN. “And if Bubba Watson’s not one of the best, which means one of the best had been getting paid higher than me and greater than me. And so it is assured cash. I miss the lower, I nonetheless generate profits. I make the lower, I make more money.”

In a press release to ESPN on Wednesday, the PGA Tour mentioned it “prohibits the cost of look cash to gamers as an inducement to play in a selected match.”

“We’re conscious that sure match sponsors might contract with a participant to carry out a sponsor-related exercise throughout match week for which they obtain nominal compensation,” the PGA Tour assertion mentioned. “That is permissible below our pointers.”

Tiger Woods, amongst different PGA Tour gamers, have criticized gamers for accepting assured, multi-year contracts from LIV Golf, which is being funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund. Former world No. 1 golfer Dustin Johnson reportedly obtained greater than $125 million to defect to the brand new circuit after which gained one other $35 million in prize cash and bonuses in its inaugural season.

Six-time main champion Phil Mickelson, who helped recruit gamers to LIV Golf, reportedly signed a $200 million deal.

“What these gamers are doing for assured cash, what’s the incentive to observe?” Woods informed reporters on the one hundred and fiftieth Open at St. Andrews in July. “What’s the incentive to go on the market and earn it within the filth? You are simply getting paid some huge cash upfront and enjoying a number of occasions and enjoying 54 holes.”

Watson did not specify how a lot under-the-table cash he obtained throughout his PGA Tour profession, through which he gained 12 instances, together with the Masters in 2012 and 2014.

“I might chortle at (criticism) as a result of all of us had some assured cash to point out up at locations,” Watson mentioned. “Win, lose, give up, no matter it’s, you continue to obtained the cash. We have all been doing that. We have all been enjoying for assured cash. The critics, it simply makes me chortle as a result of that is what we’re doing. We do not wish to speak about it on tour, however we’re getting it.”

Kevin Kisner, a member of the PGA Tour participant advisory council, informed ESPN that the cash gamers obtain at PGA Tour tournaments is totally different from what LIV Golf is doling out.

“I might not say that it is an look charge as a lot as a relationship between the participant and the title sponsor or the host group,” Kisner mentioned. “They’re making an attempt to get extra money in gamers’ fingers by contracted appearances for tent visits or pro-ams away from the common PGA Tour. It has been occurring perpetually.

“If Vacationers needs to pay Bubba Watson to go do a tent go to, that has nothing to do with the PGA Tour. You do not suppose Zurich in New Orleans is pressuring guys to play as a result of they’re sponsoring them on their sleeves? That is not an look charge. That is an off-course endorsement that is below contract. What number of gamers does RBC have?”

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman mentioned he wasn’t allowed to simply accept look charges when he performed on the PGA Tour.

“I have been away from the PGA Tour for thus lengthy,” Norman mentioned. “I’ve heard these rumors and opinions on the market. I can solely say that if Bubba is saying that, it is obtained to be factual and it would not shock me in any respect. Again in my day, we weren’t allowed to take look cash, we weren’t allowed to get our accommodations paid or any bills paid for. We needed to go simply play golf and we earned what we earned and we spent what we needed to spend to go earn that cash. It could be totally different now.”