Fred Couples remains a staunch PGA Tour loyalist.
With the news that Jon Rahm has left the PGA Tour for Saudi-backed LIV Golf, Couples spoke about the matter on his eponymous SiriusXM show, scoffing at the idea that Rahm would switch golf leagues for any reason other than money.
Rahm’s deal with LIV is reportedly for around $500 million.
“[For] $100 million doesn’t get it. $200 million doesn’t get it. $300 million doesn’t get it,’’ Couples said, as covered by Sports Illustrated. “But for $400 [million]? It’s a great product and it’s a great show … my ass.’’
When Rahm spoke about why he joined LIV, he cited factors like the “innovation” of team play, also admitting that money was a factor.
On his radio show, Couples also addressed the rumors that other golfers such as Tony Finau could follow Rahm to LIV Golf.
Finau ended up recommitting to the PGA Tour on Monday.
“Tell me the next guy — if it is Tony Finau — say “I am going for free boys!” Couples said.
“[What if they say] ‘I love this tour, I don’t like the PGA Tour anymore’? No one is going to say that. So what does that tell me? It tells me it is about the money, which is fine.
“But don’t sit there and go on and say they are changing the game. For 50 years, golf has been changed. Arnold Palmer changed it. Jack Nicklaus changed it. Tiger Woods changed it. The LIV Tour ain’t changing a thing.”
Couples, 64, won the 1992 Masters as well as 15 PGA Tour tournaments.
Earlier this year, Couples called his friend Phil Mickelson a “nut bag” and mocked the idea at this point in his career Mickelson was worth a nine-figure contract from LIV Golf.
The PGA Tour and LIV Golf stunningly announced plans to merge this past summer, but the combined entity might not pass regulatory muster, and there have been reports that other bidders could swoop in and buy all or part of the PGA Tour.
The big-money Rahm signing is at the very least a sign that the merger’s completion is not a slam dunk.
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