It’s no secret that players who have jumped to LIV Golf are reportedly pocketing huge paychecks. Following their moves, Forbes reported that the influence and impact of LIV Golf has increased the earnings of the top ten golfers by an estimated $370 million since June, bringing the combined amount to a record $650 million.
So much was the impact of the cash, Phil Mickelson picked up a projected $200 million. This made him the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2022. He even beat footballer, Lionel Messi, who raked in a jaw-dropping $130 million!
However, players who have jumped to the Saudi-backed series are stating that they are doing it to the “grow the game.” Butch Harmon doesn’t agree though, with the former coach to Mickelson stating that: “They went for the money, there’s no doubt about it.”
Mickelson made an estimated $138 million during 2022
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Speaking to his son, Claude Harmon, on Claude’s podcast, Butch didn’t hold back, as the American ranted: “I think the players that went to the LIV — you’re probably not going to agree with me on this — they created the problem because they went for the money, there’s no doubt about it.
“That’s BS about I’m going to play less and I’m going to spend more time at home. No, you went for the money. So just say that. Because the average guy that works — if somebody is in a job and somebody comes up and says I’m going to give you 20 times more money to come over here, they’re going to go over there. And then they’re going to tell their buddies, hey, yeah, they offered me more money and I went.
“So to me that’s the first problem — I think the PR of the LIV has not been good. The guys should have got together and been honest. This ‘I’m going to grow the game better’ — no, that has nothing to do with it; you’re not growing any game. They’re growing their bank accounts. Which every sportsman has the right to do — to get the best deal you can get.
“So I have a problem with people complaining about that. But I think they brought that on themselves by coming up with this other stuff.’
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