Published 02/05/2023, 4:20 AM EST
The golf world has been seeing constant banter between the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf league. Ever since Greg Norman came up with the Saudi-backed tour, players from the American venture have been transitioning to LIV for its lucrative money offers. And that drew a thick line of separation between players from both teams. However, while numerous players are against the breakaway league, Butch Harmon has a unique perspective on the situation.
PGA Tour should thank LIV Golf, says Butch Harmon
Like most other PGA Tour supporters, fans were expecting the loyalist to be strictly against the new league. After all, LIV Golf has proven to be the biggest threat to the American tour. But contrary to everyone’s expectations, Harmon said he was not “anti-LIV Golf like a lot of people”. Rather, as per his statements, professional golfers needed to be thankful for the Saudi league.
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In an episode of the Five Clubs podcast, the golf instructor explained his views on how LIV Golf’s existence proved to be a boon for the PGA Tour players. According to Harmon, numerous changes done by LIV golf have directly impacted the ways of the former tour. “The PGA Tour that have been very vocal against the guys on the LIV Tour ought to thank them,” Harmon said. “…because all of a sudden the Tour found $250 million to raise their prize money to get those elite tournaments up to 20 million prize money — oh yes, just like LIV,”
PGA, Golf Herren U.S. Open – Third Round, Jun 16, 2018 Southampton, NY, USA Golf instructor and former player Butch Harmon is interviewed during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills GC – Shinnecock Hills Golf C. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports, 16.06.2018 11:43:53, 10896400, Butch Harmon, U.S. Open, Golf, NPStrans, PGA, Third Round PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xShannaxLockwoodx 10896400
The golf star also added how the PIP money was yet another concept inspired by LIV Golf. But rather than taking it as a positive effect on the tour, players are refusing to accept the LIV Golf situation as a whole. As per the former professional, the Norman-led league was not actually the “devil” that people were considering it to be. “So look, it’s not the devil that’s out there that’s portrayed,” he said.
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Fans may have contradicting views about the whole PGA Tour vs LIV Golf situation. Now that the new league has started to gather some support from golf enthusiasts, it is tough to say which of the two Tours stands stronger. With Tiger Woods supporting one and Phil Mickelson representing the other, choosing sides has to be tough for fans.
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Do you also think that PGA tour players should stop complaining about the new league and its policies? And do you think LIV is responsible for all the recent changes in the PGA Tour functioning? Let us know in the comments section.
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