What do you think is the main reason for the criticism of LIV Golf? Format or money. Honestly, it could be either. With many big names such as Lefty, Bryson Dechambeau, and Brooks Koepka already being part of the league, you must be wondering how LIV’s roster is decorated. Had there been more names such as Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and the 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus, it sure should have been more illustrious. Well, it isn’t, and it’s not because of a lack of effort from LIV’s end, says Gary Player.

In his exclusive interview with Bunkered, Gary Player revealed that he and other big names were offered humongous sums of money to play for the Saudi-funded league. “Nicklaus was offered money. Tiger was offered money. We turned it down because we had a dream and an appreciation for what the PGA [Tour] did for us.” This revelation might be surprising for many because Player is still an international ambassador for Golf Saudi Arabia, a company set up in 2018 to promote and integrate the sport into Saudi Arabian culture. He also sported the Golf Saudi logo at the ceremonial tee shot he hit this year at Augusta. Despite that, he remains loyal to the PGA Tour.

One of the latest additions to LIV’s roster is Spaniard Jon Rahm, and it has been circling in the golf community since December that he has been paid over $500 million to leave the PGA Tour. Talking about the matter, Player shared, “[LIV is] giving Jon Rahm $540 million. I think that’s excessive. It’s just my opinion.” Although he didn’t reveal the exact amount he was offered but instead said, “Well, I was offered money too—in a different capacity,” it is expected that the amount was equally high as it was for others.

Gary Player has “nothing against the LIV Tour, nothing against the PGA Tour,” but the former pro still describes the current situation of golf as a “mess.” The 88-year-old further talked about his intentions and said that he just wants to see all the pros competing together while pointing out the very much delayed $3 billion PGA Tour-PIF deal and said, “Now we’ve just got to get everybody together. Do I see it happening? It doesn’t look that good. We’ve still not reached a conclusion. So I’m very perturbed, and it’s not good for golf.” 

In 2022, Jack Nicklaus disclosed that he was offered $100 million. Greg Norman revealed that Tiger Woods declined an $800 million offer to compete in LIV events. Although there is no official confirmation of how much LIV Golf was willing to pay Rory McIlroy, some reports suggest the amount was even higher than Woods’ offer, at $850 million. Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time Gary Player has spoken highly of LIV Golf.

What did Gary Player say about the Saudi-backed league in the past?

It happened in September 2022, when LIV Golf was still new. During that time, the nine-time major champion blasted Greg Norman’s circuit with a strong opinion of his own. He made it clear that he wouldn’t accept even a billion dollars for his nine major victories.

While talking about it, he also said LIV is a “tour for people who don’t have confidence in their future.” Later, while taking a jab at LIV Golf’s format, the Hall of Famer said, “How can you ever be a champion playing a tour with 54 holes and no cut? What sort of tour is that? 54 holes, no cut, a team event nobody understands,” as per The Palm Beach Post website. To the present day, Gary Player holds a strong opinion about LIV Golf.

Do you agree with Gary Player? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!