Smith And Varner III Admit Money Was Main Reason For Joining LIV Golf | Balls.ie

Cam Smith and Harold Varner III were very matter-of-fact in their statements following their move to the LIV Golf Tour.

Neither golfer shied away from the fact that money was a big factor in their decision to defect to the Saudi-backed Tour.

Varner III, a close friend of Shane Lowry, was particularly open in his reasoning, and admitted that money was by far the overriding factor in his choice to join LIV Golf:

“The truth is, my life is changing. The opportunity to join LIV Golf is simply too good of a financial breakthrough for me to pass by. I know what it means to grow up without much.

"This money is going to ensure that my kid and future Varners will have a solid base to start on – and a life I could have only dreamt about growing up. It’ll also help fund many of the programs I’m building with my Foundation. I’ll continue to forge pathways for kids interested in golf. This note is a receipt of for that.

"Your opinion of me may have changed because of this announcement. No lie, that'll be a tough thing to deal with. But I haven't changed - I'm still me. I promise you that."

While Cam Smith was straightforward in his admission that money played a big role in his move, he also pointed out that joining the LIV Golf Tour would allow him to spend more time in his home country of Australia and play more tournaments there, a luxury which values quite highly.

As the current Open Champion, Smith also finds himself in a very advantageous position of having exemptions for the major championships for the next five years.

“(Money) was definitely a factor in making that decision, I won’t ignore that or say that wasn’t a reason,” Smith said. “It was obviously a business decision for one and an offer I couldn’t ignore.

“The biggest thing for me joining is (LIV’s) schedule is really appealing. I’ll be able to spend more time at home in Australia and maybe have an event down there, as well.

“I haven’t been able to do that, and to get that part of my life back was really appealing.”

Both golfers have received praise from fans for their honesty, after many of the earlier defectors to LIV Golf had shied away from admitting that money was the main reason to join the Tour.