Gary Player rips LIV Golf, Cameron Smith, amid debate × Follow Us Create Notifications New User posted their first comment this is comment text Link Approve Reject & ban Delete Log in Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout Golf Feature

I wouldn t take a billion dollars - Gary Player rips LIV Golf Cameron Smith amid debate

By Vishnu Mohan Modified 03 Sep 2022 Follow Us Comment Share The Senior Open Presented by Rolex - Previews (Image via Getty) The multimillion-dollar LIV Golf series has been in controversy ever since its inception. The Saudi-backed series that began in June continues to be on the receiving end of criticism, with the latest dig at the circuit coming from Gary Player. The golf legend on Thursday slammed the controversial LIV Golf series and the PGA Tour players for defecting to it. Interestingly, the attack could be considered "friendly fire" as Player himself is an ambassador for Saudi Golf. The 86-year-old, who has nine major titles to his name, had even run into trouble after he wore the Saudi Golf logo while appearing at the Honorary Starters ceremony at the Masters. GARY PLAYER@garyplayerWhat an honor to participate in @TheOpen's Celebration of Champions Challenge alongside three incredible competitors: @moniquekalkman, @SandyLyle1, and Sir Bob Charles. The perfect start to the week! #The150thOpen976What an honor to participate in @TheOpen's Celebration of Champions Challenge alongside three incredible competitors: @moniquekalkman, @SandyLyle1, and Sir Bob Charles. The perfect start to the week! #The150thOpen https://t.co/orX59qoNOq Player has come forward to slam LIV amid the raging PGA Tour-LIV Golf debate. Commenting on the newly introduced league and its high-paid golfers, the golf legend said that he could not come to terms with anyone being a champion from the event. He dismissed the series' structure and called it a "tour for people who don't have confidence in their future." Speaking about LIV Golf on BBC Radio 5Live, Gary Player said: "I wouldn't take a billion dollars for my nine majors on both tours. I worked hard. I had desire. I traveled the world. It was an education, I met wonderful people. How can you ever be a champion playing a tour with 54 holes and no cut? They don't have the confidence they can be winners." Player, who continues to remain associated with the Saudi Arabians, further stated that more players were switching to the fledgling circuit for money. The veteran golfer said he doesn't "blame" them for the switch. However, he also noted that the LIV Golf series could never overtake the PGA Tour as the top league. He added: "This tour [LIV], which the Saudis, who by the way are our allies, let's never forget that. I hear lots of detrimental things, but remember this: the players playing there now, they need the money. They've got families, and I don't blame them for playing there. You can't have your cake and eat it. That's the bed you've chosen, that's the bed you've got to lie in." LIV Golf@LIVGolfInvWhat a party ?

#LIVGolf #LIVGolfBoston18115What a party ? #LIVGolf #LIVGolfBoston https://t.co/Juk0NtlW1k

Player questions Cameron Smith s defection to LIV Golf

Cameron Smith became the latest golfer to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. The Australian, world number 2 jumped boats and joined Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and a plethora of others. This was also questioned by Player. Despite stating that he doesn't blame golfers for choosing LIV Golf over the PGA Tour, Gary Player dismissed Cameron Smith's defection. The nine-time major winner said that the Australian had the potential to be a 'superstar,' but now wonders about his future. He said: "Will he [Smith] be able to realize this great dream of being a champion? I don't know. I don't blame [Henrik] Stenson for going. He had no money, so he had to go. But this is a potential superstar. I think his advisors have given him the wrong advice." GARY PLAYER@garyplayerCongratulations to Cameron Smith on capturing #The150thOpen. What a final round. Cameron is an incredible putter and it showed all weekend. Well done Cameron!2288Congratulations to Cameron Smith on capturing #The150thOpen. What a final round. Cameron is an incredible putter and it showed all weekend. Well done Cameron! https://t.co/n2tvKVLbol Amid raging criticism, LIV has completed three events so far. The controversial league returns to host its fourth event in its inaugural season this week at The International. It is pertinent to note that Smith will be the highlight of the event. Poll : 0 votes Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Ravi Iyer × Feedback Thank You! Be the first one to comment Follow Us Share Show More Comments GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ Be the first one to comment on this story More from Sportskeeda Fetching more content... 1 Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout No Results Found Get the free App now Manage notifications Popular ‍ Sports (30+) CricketCricket HomeScheduleT20 World CupT20 warm upIND vs SAENG vs PAKAUS vs ENGLegends LeagueECS T10 CroatiaWBBL 2022ECC T10SMAT 2022Bukhatir LeagueNZ T20 Tri-SeriesWomen's Asia Cup 2022ECT10 FootballFootball HomeNewslettersSK Experts ScheduleEPLNations LeagueLa LigaLigue 1Champions LeagueFIFA WCMLS Bundesliga Serie A WWEWWE HomeNewslettersRumor RoundupRAWSmackDownResultsRosterChampionsWWE Crown Jewel 2022PPV ScheduleAEW EsportsEsports HomeMinecraftOverwatch 2RobloxGenshin ImpactFortniteGTAStreamersFree FirePUBGValorantBGMIPop CultureAnimeGaming TechWiki Guides TennisTennis HomeTennis calendarTennis Results TodayATP RankingsWTA RankingsRoger FedererRafael NadalNovak DjokovicSerena Williams MMAMMA HomeUFC NewsONE ChampionshipUFC Fight NightScheduleRankingsResultsUFC Fights TonightONE Championship ResultsONE Championship ScheduleONE Championship Rankings KabaddiKabaddi HomePKL 2022PKL SchedulePKL Points TableKabaddi Rules WikiWiki HomeMinecraft WikiNaruto WikiTikTok WikiYoutube WikiGTA WikiTerraria WikiOne Piece Wiki MoreSportsBasketballIndian FootballNFLMinecraftFormula 1NascarPop CultureCollege FootballHockeyGolfAthleticsBadmintonGymnasticsWrestlingSwimmingTennisShootingBoxingArcheryWinter SportsRobloxFree PicksSkateboardingKho KhoLifestyle LINKS About Us Write For Us Policies Editorial Standards Journalism Awards Fact Check Affiliate Program Careers CSR Privacy Policy Contact Us Edition: English हिन्दी