Bubba Watson has hit out at the PGA Tour - claiming he is owed £1.3million of his own 'guaranteed money' amid widespread consternation surrounding the LIV Golf series.
Watson's move to LIV was one of golf's worst kept secrets before he became the latest major winner to sign for Greg Norman's Saudi-Arabia backed rebel series in July.
LIV has been accused of utilising the inordinate wealth of an oil-rich kingdom with a record of human rights abuses to lure players from golf's status quo by offering up lucrative financial packages, without real jeopardy.
The seven individual events of LIV's tumultuous inaugural season each boasted a £22m prize pot, while teams competed for a mammoth £43m at the season-closing finale in Miami. Watson, a devout Christian, hasn't hit a shot in a LIV event yet as his health struggles continue.
The two-time Masters champion, who has been out for five months after knee surgery, has instead been limited to a Youtube commentary role with LIV organisers so far unable to find a TV broadcaster to support their ostentatious venture.
And while not playing, Watson has expressed his frustration at the so-called hypocrisy of the PGA Tour as he was also racking up large sums of money without competing on the American circuit that he is now indefinitely banned from.
“So, the critics say you can’t play golf with guaranteed money?” Watson said in an emotive interview with The Times. “Good question. Well, when I was on the PGA Tour, I was getting paid money behind the scenes to show up at events from sponsors.
"And if Bubba Watson is getting it, the so-called big-time players — because I’m not as popular as them — they got paid the same amount . . . or maybe a little less. It makes me laugh when people say those things. It’s so hypocritical. These players have guaranteed money, the real world just doesn’t see it.”
Watson's peak came with two magical triumphs at Augusta in 2012 and 2014. But he has still remained a popular member of the PGA Tour amongst fans in recent years and insists that he has been short changed in the Player Impact Programme [PIP].
The scheme, aimed to reward golf's most famed stars for their growth of the sport, offers a total £35m bonus at the end of season for the most impactful players. And Watson insists he is owed half of the £2.6m he should have received for finishing tenth in last year's programme.
“They still owe me $1.5million (£1.3m)," he added. "I did everything they asked but somehow I never got the second half of the money [before joining LIV]. Everybody in the world can make money off of Saudi Arabia but, when it comes to individuals, it’s not allowed.
"Why is it OK for them and not for Bubba Watson? The PGA Tour has an almighty dollar and they’re trying to protect it by not letting others play or have an event in the US. It’s a sad and hypocritical place we’re in in our world and our sport."
