Golf is getting a bashing

MICHAEL SCULLY PADRAIG HARRINGTON claims the LIV Golf saga is another stick to beat the sport with.

The three-time major winner fears its image is taking a bashing because of the decision of a small number of “rebels” to join the Saudi-backed venture.

Brooks Koepka is reportedly the latest big name to sign up for the lucrative tour that heads to Portland next week.

Harrington, competing in his first US Senior Open ahead of his return home to the Irish Open at Mount Juliet, said: “I’d worry what the fallout is for golf. It’s amazing when you’re sitting here, watching and listening to all this stuff.

“It’s one of those things in life, golf, you’re allowed to bash. It’s golfers who seem to be getting the grief at the moment – all golfers, all of golf.”

Harrington has previously said that controversy over the new tour will eventually pass.

Last month the 50-year-old admitted that he was “delighted” he wasn’t in a position to have to make a decision on joining LIV Golf as he had not been invited.

Speaking on Jarlath Regan’s An Irishman Abroad podcast, he added: “Put it like this, it would be tough in five or six years’ time if I’m sitting there feeling like I’ve left 50 million on the table.”