Among the many PGA Tour golfers and legends who have had some harsh words for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series and its players, few have been as direct as Fred Couples. The golf legend was back this week to further roast the startup league and its CEO, Greg Norman.
“I’ve done a lot of great things in golf, maybe got people to watch the game, but I’m not changing the game,” Couple said in response to a question about LIV Golf’s claim that it’s changing the game, per Golf.com.
“All these guys think they’re changing the game and to me it’s comical, it’s really comical,” Couples said from the PGA Tour Champions event in Calgary. “To have music on every tee and have people drinking beers and think that’s cool.” He added, “I never thought the cast and crew that would do that would be the guys doing it.”
As far as what happens in LIV Golf tournaments, Couples said that he isn’t going to be going out of his way to check the leaderboard.
“If they win or lose, I don’t really care,” Couples said. “I’m 62, I play the Champions Tour, but it’s a little heartbreaking. Go do what you’re doing. Suing the Tour, 11 guys when there’s probably 200 guys on the Tour, I just find it really, really weird.
The former U.S. Presidents Cup captain and Masters winner saved his harshest comments for Greg Norman, LIV’s CEO, saying “The Shark” is no friend of his and never has been.
“And I have a funny feeling I know where it’s coming and it’s coming from their leader, who no one’s liked for 25 years. And that’s not being mean, that’s just — that’s the truth. He’s not a friend of mine, but he never would be because we don’t get along. But he’s running a tour that he thinks is incredible.”
As far as those LIV Golf players who criticized the PGA Tour before and after leaving, Couples doesn’t have much time for them either.
“I’m glad they’re gone, but stop trashing the PGA Tour. If you don’t want to be a part of it, you’re suing it? Just go away and make your millions and play golf just like I’m going to do this week.”
[Golf.com]
