A big one that got away from LIV Golf seems to have been Will Zalatoris - who turned down a huge offer of $130m to remain on the PGA Tour, according to Fred Couples.
Couples shares an agent with Zalatoris, and says that the American turned down two offers from LIV to remain on the PGA Tour.
The initial offer came in at a healthy enough $35m, but it was followed by a hugely increased figure of $130m to go and play in Greg Norman's new tour.
Speaking at a PGA Tour Champions event, Couples says that Zalatoris turned down both offers to stay loyal to the established major tour in world golf.
“I don’t know anything about the LIV Tour, except they overpay all of them,” Couples is quoted as saying by the Orange County Register.
When talking about Zalatoris, Couples added: “Money is zero object. I give Will a lot of credit; he wants (to stay with) the PGA Tour.”
Couples was hugely critical of several LIV Golf players during his appearance in Newport Beach, where he lives, labelling Phil Mickelson as a "nutbag" and Sergio Garcia as a "clown" for their behaviour when joining the Saudi-backed tour.
“If you’re giving Phil Mickelson $200 million at age 52 to shoot 74 and 75, God bless you," Couples added.
LIV Golf made an immediate splash in the golf world by signing Phil Mickelson for around the $200m mark, before adding the likes of Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Patrick Reed and Ian Poulter, among others.
Fred Couples had some harsh words for LIV Golf stars
Despite only claiming his first PGA Tour win last August, Zalatoris has very much been in the 'next big thing' category ever since he finish second in the Masters on his Augusta debut in 2021.
That came on the back of him finishing T6 at the 2020 US Open, and the 26-year-old has been a constant threat in the Majors since then, despite his well-documented putting stroke.
He finished T6 at last year's Masters, lost a playoff to Justin Thomas at the PGA Championship and finished second behind Matt Fitzpatrick at the US Open, and all that publicity attracted the attentions of LIV Golf.
According to Couples, though, Zalatoris turned down the fortunes offered to him to remain on the PGA Tour. Golf Monthly has contacted Will Zalatoris' management for comment.
-
US Open Prize Money Payout 2025A record-equaling purse is available at the third Major of the year, which comes from Oakmont
-
US Open Green Speeds At Oakmont: How Fast Are Putting Surfaces?Oakmont Country Club has been set up in an extremely tough way in 2025 with a potential over-par winning score on the horizon - but how fast are the greens?
-
'And Then I’m Going Fishing’ - Dustin Johnson Reveals Retirement Plans But Maintains He Isn’t Done YetAfter his success at the 2016 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Dustin Johnson believes he can still compete at the top level and get back to his best before retiring to the fishing lakes
-
‘My Game’s Been Really Close’ – Dustin Johnson Confident He Can Contend For Second US Open Title At OakmontThe 2016 US Open champion is confident in his game ahead of the Major, despite some recent disappointments at the big events
-
Remembering The Controversial Penalty That Almost Cost Dustin Johnson The 2016 US Open At OakmontOakmont staging the US Open again conjures up memories of the last time it held the event, when Dustin Johnson had to survive a nervy rules controversy to lift the title
-
Phil Mickelson Admits 'There’s A High Likelihood' Oakmont Could Be His Final US OpenPhil Mickelson admits that Oakmont could be his farewell appearance in the US Open as the six-time runner-up's exemption is due to expire
-
Ian Poulter's Son Painfully Misses Out On US Open Debut Via Playoff Despite Fantastic Second Round In Final QualifyingLuke Poulter produced a brilliant second round at Emerald Dunes Golf Club in Florida but missed out on a guaranteed first Major championship start
-
'I Couldn't Tell You A Par 3 Over 250 Yards That's Good - PGA Tour Stars Believe 'All The Best Par 3s Are Under 200'Justin Thomas and Viktor Hovland are not the biggest fans of the daunting eighth hole at Oakmont for the US Open - saying they much prefer shorter par 3s
-
Ian Poulter's Son Reaches US Open Final Qualifying One Year After Serious Back InjurySon of European golf legend, Ian, Luke Poulter is just two rounds away from his first Major start a year after suffering a back fracture in 2024 US Open qualifying
-
Why Justin Thomas Won’t Be Changing His 10-Year-Old Fairway Wood Anytime SoonThe 16-time PGA Tour winner has revealed the reason he has kept a Titleist 915Fd 5-wood in his bag for a decade
