Fred Couples says he doesn’t have a problem with LIV Golf and insists he still likes Phil Mickelson.
But he clearly doesn’t like the way the PGA Tour defectors left for the upstart golf circuit financially backed Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
According to a story in the Orange County Register, Couples, speaking at a breakfast to promote the upcoming Hoag Classic in Newport Beach on the PGA Tour Champions, shared some strong opinions about the state of affairs between the two golf circuits.
“I don’t have a problem with LIV,” he said. “What my problem has been when I tweet every now and then, is what these guys say when they go to the LIV Tour.”
Couples said that players should just admit they left the PGA Tour for those humongous piles of cash. The large sums LIV used to attract players aren’t really the issue to him.
“If you’re giving Phil Mickelson $200 million at age 52 to shoot 74 and 75, God bless you,” Couples said.
Many of those who left cited a more flexible schedule that allowed for more time at home with family.
“I find that comical, because my favorite to ever play has five kids, 40 grandkids, and he has never missed anything – and that was Jack Nicklaus,” Couples said, adding that he was also bothered by “all these other clowns, like Sergio” for berating a PGA Tour rules official.
What also irked Couples was that LIV players are “all bashing the PGA Tour, and that affects me a little bit. … just go to the LIV Tour, but stop blasting something I’ve been a part of for 42 years.”
The Hoag Classic starts Friday. Couples has won the event twice.
