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Some of the top-ranked players on the PGA Tour have different reasons for quitting their membership and deciding to join the LIV Golf Circuit.
But for one long-time tour member, the reasoning is very simple.
Curtis Strange with 17 PGA Tour winners Back-to-back US Open Champion (1988-89) told Fox News Digital this week that he believes money is the biggest motivation for players to join rival Saudi-backed golf leagues.
“As you know, these players have only one reason to participate, and that’s the money they look like,” Strange said.
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“When I was playing a lot, I went abroad a couple of times a year, but it was a matter of money. It was a matter of entry fees, but at the same time I was playing in a tournament with a lot of prize money. Since it was a real world ranking tournament, it meant something financially and rewardingly in terms of world ranking points and in-game status. This is very important. It’s not. “
As with the DP World Tour, you cannot pay entry fees on the PGA Tour with LIV Golf. Players will also compete for a $ 20 million wallet in addition to an additional $ 5 million prize pool for team competition in each tournament.
Players like Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson are reported to have signed deals with bonuses of $ 150 million and $ 200 million, respectively.
Strange also said that the latest measures on the tour to increase the size of the wallet promoted by the birth of LIV Golf will not only bring the two circuits closer, but also make the appearance money even more important. rice field.
He said he could understand the financial temptations of certain players, but dismissed some of the reasons publicly provided for their departure.
“I understand the players are going. I do that because it’s so big that it changes my life,” Strange said. “Now some people will say,’Well, they’re already making a lot of money.’ Yes, yes, but some of these players are at the end of their careers. So you won’t make a huge amount of money over the next years.
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“It doesn’t mean I don’t like you. It’s not that the tour isn’t going. It’s not that I want to see more of my family within a year. It’s not that I spend more time on myself. Anyway. , These guys aren’t doing that much. It’s all about this huge looking money. And that’s it. That’s the ultimate bottom line. ”
Brooks Koepka, who attended LIV Golf before the first US-based event in Oregon this week, told reporters at a press conference, the main reason for attending the tour. The desire to spend more time on injuries and rehab..
“You know, you know, I need a little more rest, I know, I’ve had to kneel and experience pain, rehab, all these things for the last two years,” he said. Said. “I’ll say that first. The last few years haven’t been easy. Take a little more break, take a little more time at home and make sure it’s 100% before playing. Event So I don’t feel like I’m forced to play right away [is good].. “
In February, Koepka said of LIV Golf:
But on Tuesday, he said he “changed his opinion,” adding that he made the decision after the US Open.
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Strange expressed his understanding, but added that he believes this will have a negative impact on both the PGA Tour and golf games in the long run.
“Is this harmful to the tour? Yes, because it robbed the tour of the names of some famous players. Is it harmful to golf? Yes, because it is diluting the entire system. It’s very deep. It’s a rebel system with pockets and they “repurchase their tour.
“This is one of the biggest things that has happened so far in a negative way to our game. So it’s not good for everyone. But will it continue to happen? They’re that kind of money As long as you keep throwing, you know. It’s always a chance. Does the tour exist for more than two years? It’s up to them. How much money do they want to invest? “
Strange said he defended the PGA Tour and commissioner Jay Monahan’s suspension of membership in these North Korean defectors and is trying to protect the integrity of the tours of the remaining members.
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“I can’t imagine turning my back on the organization that provided the platform for me to be myself,” Strange said. “At the same time, I understand the guy who thinks he can’t play enough anymore, but I’m just struggling. After playing the tour for a long time, I turned my back on the organization and actually somehow Harmful. But I got it. I got it. It’s money. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.