You can’t just spit on PGA and Euro tours like these guys
Lorenzo-Vera takes aim at Sergio and Lee
SERGIO GARCIA and Lee Westwood have been accused of “spitting” on the hand that has fed them for 20 years by signing up with the Saudi rebels as golf’s civil war turned personal yesterday.
The rift between the rebels aligned to Greg Norman’s lucrative breakaway league and the European and PGA Tour loyalists was laid bare when Garcia bade a spiteful farewell at the Wells Fargo Championship, claiming he “cannot wait” to jump ship.
With Westwood issuing a strong defence of the project’s Saudi backers at the British Masters, their stance prompted outrage among rank-and-file pros such as France’s Mike Lorenzo-Vera.
“Sergio and Lee have been fantastic professionally to me for the last 10 years but this situation I just don’t get,” said Lorenzo-Vera.
“You can’t just spit on the
PGA Tour and the European Tour like this. If you listen to them it feels like it’s been 20 very hard years for them and finally they’ve got out of that s***.
“But before this new tour everyone was happy. No one was complaining. They were taking a ton of cash and were happy about it because they’re talented and they work hard as well.
“You just don’t turn your back like this. I just don’t get it. It’s huge money – when I’m in bed I sometimes think, ‘Why don’t you just shut up and take the cash?’
“But one day my kids will ask me how we had such a comfortable life and I’m going to have to answer. I’ve played in Saudi and I don’t feel comfortable there.
“But my main problem is players turning their back on the Tour that’s been working hard to keep them in a good position after two years of pandemic.
“I’m very lost and a bit angry. I know the way I’m speaking now I’m disturbing a few players but I don’t care. I feel more comfortable in my shoes than if I was in theirs. I guess tensions will come. That is going to be interesting.”
Garcia, set to play at the inaugural LIV Invitational Series event at St Albans on June 9, confirmed his intention to join the breakaway rebels after an incorrect ruling in the first round at TPC Potomac that he took too long to find his ball.
“I can’t wait to leave this tour, I can’t wait to get out of here, my friend,” he told a PGA Tour official. “A couple more weeks and I won’t have to deal with you any more.”
Danny Willett put himself in contention at The Belfry after a 65 yesterday, to go within three shots of surprise leader Hurly Long of Germany.