- Varner registered a BAC of .16 during a breathalyzer test after he was pulled over
- The golfer defected to Saudi-backed LIV Golf in 2022 for a reported $15 million
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Professional golfer Harold Varner III was arrested Thursday evening in Charlotte, North Carolina for driving under the influence.
The 33-year-old, who plays on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Circuit, was arrested Thursday evening around 7:30 PM ET.
According to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, he was stopped in Uptown Charlotte and registered a BAC of .16 on a breathalyzer test.
Varner, who grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina, was given a $500 bond, which he later posted Thursday evening after being taken into custody.
The Ohio native is scheduled to appear in court on January 19 at 9 a.m., just two weeks before the start of the 2024 LIV golf season in Mayakoba, Mexico.
Professional golfer Harold Varner III was arrested Thursday evening in Charlotte, NC
The 33-year-old, who plays on the LIV Golf circuit, was arrested for driving while impaired
Court records show Varner was previously stopped for speeding in Mecklenburg County in April 2021. He was reportedly driving at a speed of 90 km/h in a 70 km/h zone.
Varner played nine seasons on the PGA Tour before defecting to the LIV Golf breakout in 2021.
Varner reportedly earned $15 million when he joined LIV, which is funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
“My life is changing,” Varner said in an Instagram post announcing his death. 'The opportunity to become a member of LIV Golf is simply too good a financial breakthrough for me to pass up.
'I know what it means to grow up without much. This money will ensure that my child and future Varners will have a solid foundation to start on – and a life I could only have dreamed of growing up.”
Varner turned pro in 2012 and played several seasons on the PGA Tour before defecting
Varner is married to his wife, Amanda Singleton Varner, and the couple shares a young son, Harold Liam Varner IV, 2, who is named Liam.
For the first two seasons of LIV's existence, Varner played for the Range Goats, but was traded to Dustin Johnson's 4 Aces in exchange for Peter Uihlein earlier this month.
Since joining the Rebel circuit, Varner has recorded one victory, at the 2023 LIV Golf DC event at former President Donald Trump's golf course just outside the US capital.
Meanwhile, he has racked up two international victories since turning pro in 2012, winning the Australian PGA Championship in 2016 and the PIF Saudi International last year.