If Harold Varner III believed being trustworthy about why he was leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf would assist him within the courtroom of public opinion, he shortly discovered that he was mistaken.
Varner is one in every of six PGA Tour members who will make their debuts within the subsequent LIV Golf occasion, which begins Friday on the Worldwide exterior Boston.
At a information convention on Wednesday, Varner instructed reporters that he was stunned by the backlash he acquired after posting an announcement on Instagram, by which he defined why he was leaving the PGA Tour. Greater than something, Varner stated the choice was about cash.
Varner stated he learn each response on his put up and a few of them weren’t very type.
“It sucked,” Varner instructed reporters Wednesday in Boston. “Who likes to be hated? It is horrible. I hate being hated. I might slightly not even be recognized than be hated.”
Varner, 32, is without doubt one of the few Black gamers competing in skilled golf.
“I simply hate to be hated since you’re doing what’s greatest for you, and at any time when another person is doing one thing that is greatest for them, I am like, ‘How can I assist? How can I show you how to make a greater choice? What are you making this choice?'” Varner stated. “That needs to be extra of the language as a substitute of, like, ‘Properly, you did not do what I need you to do, so I hate you. I am accomplished. I am unfollowing.’ You may’t win that.”
Varner earned about $10.4 million throughout his PGA Tour days, together with about $2.3 million this season. He by no means received a PGA Tour occasion, however he did win two tournaments worldwide, together with the PIF Saudi Worldwide in February.
That victory helped him climb into the highest 50 within the Official World Golf Rating, which earned him an invite to every of the 4 majors. He tied for twenty third on the Masters, tied for forty eighth on the PGA Championship, missed the lower on the U.S. Open and tied for twenty eighth at The Open.
LIV Golf gamers had been permitted to play within the majors this previous season. Golf’s governing our bodies have not but revealed whether or not the {qualifications} for exemptions and invites will change to make it tougher for them sooner or later.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has suspended members for competing in LIV Golf tournaments with out conflicting-event releases.
“For me, that weighed so much,” Varner stated. “That is my first 12 months taking part in in each main, so it was cool. However I believe it is approach cooler ensuring my child would not have to fret about something. That is about it.”
Varner stated his spouse, Amanda, was far more blunt about what he ought to do.
“I believe it is very simple to get in a scenario the place you do what everybody else says you must do,” Varner stated. “I do not know, I simply sat there. I believe it is fairly unhealthy when my spouse is like, ‘F— everyone. Do what you need to do.'”
