Bubba Watson has hit back at criticism LIV Golf players have received for accepting up-front appearance money, insisting it's also common practice on the PGA Tour.
The two-time Masters champion, who signed with LIV in the summer, told ESPN he received "guaranteed money" to feature at several PGA Tour events, despite it being against tour rules.
"It makes me laugh because on the PGA Tour, I got paid behind closed doors to show up at tournaments, many tournaments," Watson told ESPN. "And if Bubba Watson's not the best, that means the best were getting paid better than me and more than me. And so it's guaranteed money. I miss the cut, I still make money. I make the cut, I make extra money."
He added: "I'd laugh at [criticism] because we all had some guaranteed money to show up at places. Win, lose, quit, whatever it is, you still got the money. We've all been doing that. We've all been playing for guaranteed money. The critics, it just makes me laugh because that's what we're doing. We don't want to talk about it on tour, but we are getting it."
The PGA Tour responded to Watson's claims in a statement to ESPN by reiterating that it "prohibits the payment of appearance money to players as an inducement to play in a particular tournament."
"We are aware that certain tournament sponsors may contract with a player to perform a sponsor-related activity during tournament week for which they receive nominal compensation," the PGA Tour said. "This is permissible under our guidelines."
Kevin Kisner also joined the debate, saying sponsor handouts have nothing to do with the PGA Tour.
Watson, who is a 12-time PGA Tour winner, didn't disclose how much appearance money he received while he was a member of the US-based circuit. He opted to join LIV Golf at the end of July as a non-playing captain as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
The first LIV Golf season finished last week in Miami as 4Aces GC, captained by Dustin Johnson, scooped the $16 million team prize.
-
Tiger Woods To Make PNC Championship Return Alongside Son CharlieThe 15-time Major winner is set to tee it up for the first time since back surgery in September, with Team Woods making their fifth appearance in the tournament
-
These Drivers Are Being Replaced In 2025 So Now Is The Best Time To Grab a DealNew drivers look to be on the way early in 2025 so now is a great time to pick up some notable discounts models that impressed us this year
-
LIV Golf’s Bubba Watson Returning To The Mic In Star-Studded MatchA host of iconic faces from the world of sport and entertainment will come together for the latest edition of 'The Match' on primetime TV later this month
-
Bubba Watson To Make International Series Debut Following Tough LIV Golf SeasonThe two-time Masters champion will compete against rival LIV golfers and the leading Asian Tour players at the BNI Indonesian Masters later this month
-
'It's Not Just Some Made-Up Number' - Bubba Watson Reveals Method LIV Golf Uses to Decide Sign-On FeesThe two-time Masters champion says a formula is used to decide how much to offer a player LIV Golf wants to attract
-
Talor Gooch 'Should Definitely Get A Pick' For The Ryder Cup Says Bubba WatsonBubba Watson says his LIV Golf teammate Talor Gooch should "definitely" make it onto the USA Ryder Cup team
-
Talor Gooch Wins Back-To-Back LIV Golf Events In SingaporeAfter victory in Adelaide, Gooch defeated Sergio Garcia in a playoff to secure the top prize in Singapore
-
DeChambeau Hits Out At 'Not Accurate' And 'Pretty Much Almost Obsolete' World RankingsThe 2020 US Open champion is unhappy that LIV Golf still hasn't been awarded world ranking points
-
Bubba Watson Says 'Golf Was Kind Of Stale' And Reveals Future LIV 'Stadium' PlansThe two-time Masters champion says the game was stale and also revealed plans for teams to have their own 'stadiums'
-
'That's Some Exceptional Play' - LIV Players React To Talor Gooch's Adelaide PerformanceTalor Gooch holds a 10-shot lead at LIV's Adelaide event, with the American firing two 10-under-par rounds of 62
