LIV dig as ex-Masters champion once linked with move says rebels must pay price

11 January 2023 , 15:31

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Adam Scott took a dig at his LIV Golf rivals (Image: Getty Images)

Former Masters champion Adam Scott has taken aim at LIV Golf, claiming players who have made the controversial move should pay the price for their decision. Scott's name was heavily linked to LIV throughout 2022.

This was no doubt due to his Australian heritage, with a number of Australia's biggest names making the Saudi switch including former world No. 1 Greg Norman who is the breakaway circuit's CEO. Norman has managed to lure fellow Aussies Marc Leishman and Matt Jones, as well as Open champion Cameron Smith.

Scott's head however was not turned despite the mega-money on offer to players thanks to the funding of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment.

Despite the financial reward being offered by LIV, there has been plenty of consequences for those who have defected. Most notably, the PGA Tour has suspended the membership of any player moving to the breakaway series. Additionally, LIV is yet to acquire recognition from the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), meaning those competing are playing without ranking points.

This has been a major chink in LIV's armour, and has seen many of the circuit's biggest names tumble down the world rankings. Scott though has no sympathies for defectors who are complaining, insisting they knew exactly what they were getting into when signing on the dotted line.

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Greg Norman lured in some of his fellow Australians (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

He told The Sydney Morning Herald: "In the short term it was sacrificing the ability to have world ranking points. If they didn’t know that, then they’re realising that’s the case at the moment.”

LIV players are not the only group questioning the legitimacy of the world rankings though, with PGA Tour star and last week's Tournament of Champions winner Jon Rahm also doubting the system. Despite firing back at his LIV rivals, Scott also believes there is work to be done at OWGR HQ.

Do you think LIV Golf deserve world ranking recognition? Let us know in the comments section below.

Adam Scott has remained loyal to the PGA Tour (Getty Images)

The 2013 Masters champion went on: "World rankings is a very, very hard thing to get right,” Scott said. “I don’t think it’s correct. The weight at the top of the points I don’t think is enough.

"I beat about four people last week (at the Tournament of Champions), so I shouldn’t get a lot of points. But Jon Rahm beat a field of champion players on the PGA Tour and apparently the best 30 players on the tour for the year, so I think that’s worthy of some points.”

Joshua Lees