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Harold Varner says ‘I hate being hated’ at LIV Golf news conference

2022 LIV Golf Invitational Boston

It’s been more than a month since we last saw LIV Golf Series players on the course but that’s how it’s going in this breakaway league, which has only eight events in 2022.

Ahead of the fourth event during this inaugural season, LIV introduced its six newest members Wednesday in Bolton, Massachusetts, outside Boston.

The International is the host venue for the three-day, 54-hole, no-cut event that starts Friday.

Cam Smith, Champion Golfer of the Year and Players Championship winner, makes his circuit debut. He’s ranked No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking and is now the highest ranked member of the Saudi government-backed golf series.

Two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson is also making his first appearance but he won’t be playing just yet. Still recovering from knee surgery, Watson is LIV Golf’s first non-playing captain.

There are 12 teams of four golfers, and Watson’s squad includes fellow newcomer Harold Varner III.

Other recent signees include Anirban Lahiri, Cameron Tringale and Marc Leishman.

Harold Varner: ‘I hate being hated’

Harold Varner III talks with the media during a news conference ahead of the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Boston at The Oaks golf course at The International in Bolton, Massachusetts. (Photo: Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Varner, who opened up on social media and wrote easily the most honest explanation yet of anyone who defected from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, nonetheless took a lot of flak on social media.

“It sucked,” he said after reading all the comments sent his way. “Who likes to be hated? It’s terrible. I hate being hated. I’d rather not be, not even be known than be hated.

“So yeah, it was terrible. I just hate to be hated because you’re doing what’s best for you and whenever someone else is doing something that’s best for them I’m like, ‘How can I help, how can I help you make a better decision, why are you making this decision?’ That should be more of the language instead of like, ‘Well, you didn’t do what I want you to do so I hate you, I’m done, I’m unfollowing.’ Like, you can’t win that. People are just not right.”

Bubba Watson: ‘Captaincy is a dream come true’

2022 LIV Golf Invitational Boston Bubba Watson takes questions from the media ahead of the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Boston at The Oaks golf course at The International in Bolton, Massachusetts. (Photo: Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty…

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