Butch Harmon Tired Of 'Verbal Pillow Fights' Over LIV PGA Tour Civil War

Harmon also agreed that the DP World Tour 'did the right thing' in regard to the recent arbitration hearing between them and LIV Golf

Harmon smiles whilst wearing an Open Championship lanyard
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking at The Masters, Butch Harmon commented on the recent announcement around the DP World Tour winning its arbitration hearing against LIV Golf, with the American stating on Sky Sports Golf that "I'm just tired of the verbal pillow fights between the players."

Since LIV Golf came onto the scene, the 79-year-old has regularly stated that he isn’t “anti-LIV Golf like a lot of people,” with Harmon actually recently insisting that players on the PGA Tour should thank LIV Golf due to an increase in prize money on Tour since the Saudi-backed series' inception.

Harmon and Dustin Johnson watch on while DJ holds his putter

Harmon and LIV golfer, Dustin Johnson, during a practice round at the 2018 US Open

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Now, following the news of the DP World Tour's arbitration hearing, Harmon has explained that: "The PGA Tour made it very easy to understand. They said if you're going to go play LIV Golf you're not going to come back and play on the PGA Tour and they've said that all along. There are lawsuits involved with LIV and the PGA Tour that are going on right now. 

"For me, I'm not pro LIV or anti LIV. I figure competition is good for a lot of things. I think if the Tour had done three years ago, what they've done now, with their prize money change and everything, LIV may not have got off the ground, but that doesn't matter because LIV is off the ground. 

"I'm just tired of the verbal pillow fights between the players. Let them be who they are and both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour be who they are and then let's just get on and play golf. It's sad that it's come to this. Unfortunately, we're here, I agree 100% with a ruling that just came down for the DP World Tour and I think they did the right thing and the way they handled it. 

"Look, you guys want to play over there, you went over there and played, I got no problem with the guys that went over there. The PGA Tour players stayed over here.  Let's just get along. Let's just have some good time and play golf. That's what it's all about."

DP World Tour CEO speaks at the 2022 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth

DP World Tour CEO, Keith Pelley, described the announcement as “a very good day for our membership"

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A lot has been made of LIV players featuring at the first Major of the year at Augusta National, with Jack Nicklaus recently stating that, at the Champions Dinner, "everybody was wondering whether there was going to be any problems with the LIV players and things. Zero. It was the most cordial evening you could ever have spent. It was terrific."

Many have praised The Masters for allowing those players to feature and, in Harmon's eyes, that's also the case, as the legendary coach explained that: "This is a Major Championship, and I commend the members here at Augusta and the Chairman for allowing us to have the best players in the world in this great tournament. 

"Those that play on the other Tour and those who play on the various Tours, that all goes out the window this week. This is golf, this is the first Championship of the year, our first great Championship of the year and, I'll tell you what, it's going to be a good one."

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x