LIV Golf have managed to recruit some big names in recent weeks. Brooks Koepka and Bryson De Chambeau, two of the most well-known players on the PGA Tour, agreed to join the Saudi-backed venture over the last month or so.
In saying that, a large proportion of their current field continues to be made up of players who are clearly past their prime. That includes Paul Casey, who confirmed his move to the tour yesterday.
A former world no. 3, the Englishman has been short of his best over the last few seasons. In saying that, the 44-year old is still ranked among the top 30 players in the world as things stand. Casey is currently in Ireland for the JP McManus Pro-Am which kicks off in Adare tomorrow.
He will make his debut in the competition later this month, sharing his delight at the move during the broadcast of LIV Golf's second event.
"You'll see me in Bedminster."
Bring. It. On. 🙌#LIVGolf | @Paul_Casey | #CRUSHERSGC pic.twitter.com/Q9mO0pNvMT— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) July 2, 2022
However, his words ring rather hollow when you consider comments that Casey made a few years ago.
Paul Casey's Saudi comments resurface after LIV Golf move
While Paul Casey seemed happy to take the paycheque from Saudi Arabia to make the move to LIV Golf, he had previously been careful not to be associated with the regime in the country.
In fact, the UNICEF ambassador refused to take part in the European Tour's Saudi event back in 2019, making these to The Independent comments at the time.
It just didn’t sit well with me. I’ve not talked too much about it and I’m not sure I want to, but certainly signing a deal and being paid to be down there, I would be a hypocrite if I did that.
Anybody who says sport isn’t political, that’s rubbish, sport is very political and we’ve seen it through the years. I’m glad I took a stance, more so if it highlighted the issues within the region, especially next door in Yemen...
Where some of these guys are in the world rankings, they were there for the money, we all know that. But I wouldn’t take anyone to task over it. Crikey, they’re my mates, it just didn’t feel right for me.
It seems that Casey had his own price when it came to throwing his lot in with the Saudis.
After the behaviour of the likes of Graeme McDowell, Brooks Koepka, and Greg Norman in recent times, this is just the latest example of hypocrisy among those involved in LIV Golf.
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