WHAT THE REBEL LIV GOLFERS ARE BEING TOLD TO SAY...
AFTER days of intense questioning over their involvement in the breakaway tour, we can reveal the contents of a crib sheet which has been given to the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Lee Westwood by organisers in an attempt to dampen the fury towards them.
WHY:
■ I love playing golf. This is a great opportunity to grow the game.
■ It’s a great opportunity for me, my family, to advance my career, try something different.
■ It’s a great opportunity to improve the product for fans.
■ I like the concept. The format is new and exciting.
■ I don’t see why we can’t have the choice to play in all Tours. I love to compete.
■ Every sport gets better with competition.
■ The game of golf is bigger than one tour.
MONEY GRAB:
■ There were a number of factors in my decision-making, and money was certainly one of them.
■ We are professional athletes just like our contemporaries in NFL, MLB, NHL — we deserve to be compensated for our skills and entertaining fans.
■ I can compete in both (tours) which is best for me professionally and financially.
■ As I understand it, their goal is to grow the game, provide additional opportunities and give fans more fun and a better product. We all want the game to flourish.
PGA TOUR BANS/ SANCTIONS:
■ I hope it doesn’t come to that but we will see what happens.
■ I don’t know how banning players is good for the game.
■ There should be no reason to prevent players, as independent contractors, from choosing where and when to play.
■ I hope the PGA Tour will do the right thing and just let me play golf.
■ The Tour issued waivers for players to play in the Saudi International — what’s different now?