LIV Golf rebel Martin Kaymer claims PGA Tour loyalists should play in Japan to avoid ‘blood money’
LIV Golf rebel Martin Kaymer claims ‘hypocritical’ PGA Tour loyalists should play in Japan to avoid accepting ‘blood money’ after shock merger
- PGA Tour announced a deal on Tuesday to merge with LIV Golf and DP World Tour
- Those who stayed on the PGAT previously criticized LIV for ‘sports washing’
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
LIV Golf rebel Martin Kaymer took on PGA Tour loyalists after their criticism of the Saudi-backed series, as golf’s two warring factions are ready to put aside their differences.
In a shock move, the PGA Tour reversed its stance on the Saudi-backed series on Tuesday, revealing it and the DP World Tour had struck a deal with LIV to combine their companies into a new yet-to-be-named company.
The merger came as a surprise to fans and particularly to the stars of the Tour themselves, who were unaware of the news and found out in real time on social media.
They were left furious with Commissioner Jay Monahan, with many putting themselves in a difficult position for their previous criticism of LIV Golf.
The breakaway has come under fire over allegations of “sportswashing” as it is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which will now be an investor in the PGA Tour.
LIV Golf rebel Martin Kaymer took on PGA Tour loyalists after their criticism of the series
Players like Rory McIlroy (L) and Tiger Woods (R) were kept in the dark about the merger
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan made a shocking U-turn on his previous stance
Kaymer claimed that those who denounced the Rebel series for “sportwashing” should find another tour to play on or risk becoming hypocrites.
“I’m really looking forward to the reaction of all the people who said ‘we don’t want to play for blood money… we don’t want to sell our souls,'” he told The Telegraph.
Now they have to move to Japan [and play on the Japan Tour]to stay true to their word.”
Kaymer also admitted that he struggled with the “sportwashing” allegations before signing last year for a reported $30 million fee.
“I think you just have to follow your intuition and what you believe,” he said. “I stood up for my values and I stood up for the feeling in my heart. I was brave enough and stood up for myself against many people, including here in Germany, who criticized and scared the hell out of me. Funnily enough, they sent me nice messages [since the announcement].
“It’s such a hypocritical world we live in… so it’s even more important to make your own decisions. Don’t judge too much, because when all is said and done, you could do the same.’
The German will play at the Los Angeles Country Club for the US Open next week.
Kaymer will be one of 15 players competing in the major championship, but as with The Masters and PGA Championship this year, the 2014 winner is not expecting any thrills.
“The players get along well, so I’m not worried about that,” he said. “I think the officials need to answer a few questions. I do feel a little sorry for the PGA Tour players who trusted everything that was said. But at the end of the day, you know, they all have a hot meal on their plate.’
However, the same cannot be said of the Ryder Cup.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia’s PIF, becomes PGA’s CEO in the merger
Lee Westwood (L) and Ian Poulter (R) will have to wait to return to the Ryder Cup
The process for LIV defectors to be reinstated won’t begin until after the 2023 season is complete, meaning high-profile names like Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter will have to wait to return to the Ryder Cup.
But Kaymer claimed it would be one of the best Ryder Cups if the best of the Europeans and the Americans went head to head.
“Everyone has come together now, okay, so let’s show the world that and let the best players in America play against the best in Europe,” said Kaymer.
“I think it would be one of the great Ryder Cups if they made that possible. And why can’t they? With this deal they have shown that anything is possible and quickly.’