16 March 2023 , 15:35
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Fred Couples has launched a fierce tirade at LIV Golf rebels and saved some personal criticism for Phil Mickelson during a speech at a PGA event.
Former Masters champion Couples was a guest speaker at the PGA Tour Champions breakfast ahead of this weeks’ Hoag Classic in Newport Beach. It was there that the usually reserved 63-year-old slammed the six-time major winner and the controversial Saudi-backed tour.
According to the Orange County Register, he also referred to Mickelson as a “nutbag” and criticised fellow Masters winner Sergio Garcia. “If you’re giving Phil Mickelson $200 million at age 52 to shoot 74 and 75, God bless you,” he said. Couples was also annoyed by “all these other clowns, like Sergio (Garcia).”
The world of golf was rocked by LIV's inception last year with the breakaway series engulfed in a legal row with the PGA and DP World Tours amid a series of back-and-forth jibes.
Couples has taken exception to those on the side of LIV founder Greg Norman, and claimed they are disrespecting the organisation fronted by commissioner Jay Monahan . “Just go to the LIV Tour, but stop blasting something I’ve been a part of for 42 years,” said the 15-time PGA Tour winner.
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“That’s my problem (with LIV players). They’re all bashing the PGA Tour, and that affects me a little bit.” Despite insisting the financial packages on offer with LIV aren't an issue, Couples urged players to admit they left the PGA Tour for that very reason.
“I don’t have a problem with LIV,” said Couples, a Newport Beach resident and two-time Hoag Classic champion. "What my problem has been when I tweet every now and then, is what these guys say when they go to the LIV Tour.”
Mickelson is one of many golfers who defected to LIV Golf last year (Getty Images)Prior to LIV’s next event in Arizona, Mickelson claimed some of the PGA’s recent changes were influenced by LIV. "I'm happy to see it, I'm happy to see it for the tour," he added. "I think there will always be a need and a want for traditional golf. And there's always an opportunity to innovate and to allow LIV to be additive and create something new and different.
"I also think the changes bring the best players about more often. I think that's what fans want and what the sponsors want. They want to know what they are buying, and those are all things that LIV have provided for their sponsors and television and so forth. I think it's a good model to follow, and I'm glad that they are."