Admits he could not turn down ‘too good’ and ‘dream’ LIV Golf money because he wants his ‘kid and future Varners to have a solid base to start on’
After several weeks of rampant rumors, LIV Golf confirms six new signings to its roster. Among them is Harold Varner III, World No.46. Varner won the PIF Saudi International in February 2022 (which fueled gossip of his interest in LIV) and won the Australian PGA Championship in 2016. He has always been unapologetically himself, a fact that’s led the 32-year-old to be a fan-favorite over the last few years on PGA Tour.
The athlete was refreshingly honest when sharing his reasons for joining LIV, and he didn’t shy away from speaking about the money. The shocking aspect of his statement has surprised many who thought he would never leave the PGA Tour. Varner posted a letter to his Instagram account:
“The opportunity to join LIV Golf is simply too good of a financial breakthrough for me to pass by. I know what it means to grow up without much. This money is going to ensure that my kid and future Varners will have a solid base to start on – and a life I could have only dreamt about growing up,” Varner wrote in a post on his Instagram account. “It’ll also help fund many of the programs I’m building with my Foundation. I’ll continue to forge pathways for kids interested in golf. This note is a receipt of for that.”
Although the North Carolina native qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season this year, he never did earn that elusive first win on the PGA Tour.
Contradicting his signing, back in June, Varner told Sports Illustrated: “I’m obviously not going,” after receiving what he called a “nuts” offer from LIV Golf. “I’ve spoken with (PGA Tour commissioner) Jay (Monahan), I’ve spoken with a lot of people I look up to and it just wasn’t worth it to me for what it was worth. That’s pretty simple.”
But, after taking a look at his career and the potential opportunities offered by the LIV Tour, Varner has had a change of mind. He and all six new signings will tee it up in Boston this week in a field that includes 12 Major champions and four former World No.1 players. The field also has 14 nationalities with 20 players having claimed 10 or more professional wins.
Joining Varner on the rapidly growing LIV tour is World No.2 and Open Champion Cameron Smith. Following an incredible season this year, the Australian captured a Major win at St. Andrews along with holding eight professional wins to date. He’s set to tee it up at this week’s LIV event in Boston.
Additional recruits signing on include World No.19 Joaquin Niemann, World No.55 Cameron Tringale, World No.62 Marc Leishman and World No.92 Anirban Lahiri, who finished runner-up to Smith in this year’s Players Championship.
However, 23-year-old Niemann is also a coup for the Greg Norman-fronted Series. The Chilean has two professional wins and is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the game.
Debuting as a non-playing captain is Bubba Watson, who was unveiled as a LIV Golf player during the previous tournament in New Jersey. Watson will serve in the role of making on-air contributions to live event coverage.
CEO of LIV Golf, Greg Norman, said: “LIV Golf is showing the world that our truly global league is attracting the world’s best players and will grow the game into the future for the next generation. The best and the brightest continue to embrace the excitement and energy of LIV Golf and what we’re building: a tangible league for team golf that will connect with new audiences all over the globe. We can’t wait to tee off this week at The International and deliver another memorable event experience for fans.”
The signings mark the latest impressive move as the Series transitions to a fully fledged $405m League for 2023, featuring promotion and relegation.
