Going to LIV Golf for free? Even Jon Rahm, the current world No. 3 revealed his decision not too long ago to join the same for a lot of reasons. But, Fred Couples wasn’t having any of it. The American athlete came forward to brutally take a jab at the Saudi-backed league and its players, especially Rahm’s, claim of jumping to the same for legacy.
The Spaniard had earlier announced his defection citing reasons for being a part of something greater that helps the sport grow. However, Couples took to a podcast to share his views on the same, all the while blasting the PIF-funded circuit for being “all about money!”
Fred Couples shares a piece of his mind on LIV Golf
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The 64-year-old opened up about the recent happenings in the golf world in a podcast by SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio. And, in the episode, he made sure to express his disbelief on the claim of the LIV golfers that the circuit is nothing short of a game changer for the sport. What’s more, he went ahead to divulge his thoughts on the money aspect of the league.
Commenting on the same, Couples mentioned how he wants “to see the next superstar” go to the Saudi-backed Tour for the “unreal” golf that they are playing. Moreover, he indicated how athletes should join the same “for free” while simultaneously taking a jab at the PIF-funded circuit. He indicated how he feels the league is “all about money.”
Adding on, the veteran went ahead to mention how he wants the athletes, including Rahm, to go on air to talk about how they are going to LIV because it is “that good,” instead of the money. Throwing barbs at the breakaway league, he ridiculed the golfers who joined the same for monetary gains while denying the actual reason behind their shift, as he said, “100 million doesn’t get it, 200 million doesn’t get it, 300 million doesn’t get it, but for 400 it’s a great product? my a**!”
Jon Rahm has said the size of his offer from LIV weighed into his decision to join the tour.
Fred Couples has no problem with that, but he'd like for everyone to stop telling him how great LIV's product is.@fredcouplesgolf | @coachgeorge805 pic.twitter.com/E0CzcR3EgI
— SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) December 12, 2023
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Continuing, he conveyed how no one will go to the alternate tour for free. Although Couples made sure to express how he is fine with the money influencing the decision, the 15X PGA Tour champ disclosed how he doesn’t agree to the claims of the league “changing the game.” Refuting the same, he added “Actually, for 50 years, golf has been changed. Arnold Palmer… Jack Nicklaus… Tiger Woods changed it. The LIV Tour ain’t changing a thing,” as the 1X major champ dissed the alternate tour.
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Such a response came as a result of the athletes, including Rahm mentioning how he was proud to “be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport.” And so, it didn’t sit well with the senior pro when the golfers started to talk about the legacy of a circuit that boasts huge purses and extravagant deals. Well, even if the reasons include money or legacy, one thing is for sure – the league has undoubtedly created a lot of waves in the golf world.
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