What did Harold Varner III have to say about joining LIV Golf?
Compared to others who have tiptoed around the issue of money, the former PGA player didn’t shy away from talking about it in the least and that’s not a bad thing.
As the battle continues to rage between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, more players are taking the leap from the traditional tour to the new league in town and one of them explained why.
Harold Varner III opens up about decision to join LIV Golf
In the last few days, we’ve seen a slew of high-profile golfers defecting from the PGA in order to join the highly controversial LIV Golf. From British Open winner Cameron Smith to Marc Leishman and more recently Harold Varner III. Indeed, unlike many others Varner actually gave an open and sincere explanation about why he took the decision to join the Saudi backed golf league. That’s to say, that while his choice to leave the PGA Tour was surprising, when considering his comments, it was definitely understandable.
In a recent post online, the fan-favorite who’s known for his frankness, spoke about the undeniable financial benefits available - something others wouldn’t do - as well as the future of his children, making it clear that the 32-year-old is thinking long term. “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 on Instagram. “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.”
After his U-turn will LIV Golf provide Harold Varner III with his first win?
What’s interesting here is the context and chronology. As fans will know, Varner never actually managed to get his first win on the PGA Tour, though he did secure victory at the 2022 PIF Saudi International, something that understandably sent tongues wagging about a courtship between him and LIV Golf. That was of course after he had qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
“I’m obviously not going,” Varner said back in June after receiving what he referred to as a “nuts” offer from LIV Golf. The North Carolina native went even further saying, “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.” Indeed, one of those “people” that he mentioned was NBA legend and GOAT himself, Michael Jordan who actually advised Varner not to go. This is all to say, that while his reversal is not shocking, it’s certainly surprising given his previous comments. None the less one can only hope that he finds what he’s looking for. Varner will of course be making his LIV Golf debut later this week at The International in Boston.