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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

LIV Golf star explains why he told fellow defectors they are "full of s***"

Outspoken golfer Harold Varner III says he tells his fellow LIV golfers they are "full of s***" if they claim their decision to join the Saudi-backed tour was not fuelled by money.

Varner III is one of 18 LIV rebels who will be in action at this year's Masters after tournament organisers decided not to institute a ban against them. And while LIV commissioner Greg Norman and his players have repeatedly stated the breakaway league can help "grow the game", Varner III admitted it is simply a way for players to add to their wealth.

In an interview with the Washington Post, he said: "They're full of s***; they're growing their pockets. I tell them all the time, all of them: 'You didn't come here to f****** grow the f****** game'.

"I play golf so I can change the direction of my family's life. And that's it. No other reason.

"If my parents were well-off, yeah, I'll go play for championships and s***. The Tour has made it where they say it's not about the money. I don't care what anyone says. It's about the damn money."

Varner III won the Saudi International tournament last February, banking a whopping $1m (£803,000) in prize money with the event backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, who also own LIV.

Varner III has revealed he earned "more" than $15m as a signing bonus when he joined LIV (Getty Images)

After initially turning down an approach from LIV, Varner III decided to jump ship in August having been offered a huge signing bonus which he admits is "more" than the $15m (£12m) that has been reported.

He admitted at the time the decision was solely motivated by money, saying in statement: "T he opportunity to join LIV Golf is simply too good of a financial breakthrough for me to pass by.

"I know what it means to grow up without much. This money is going to ensure that my kid and future Varners will have a solid base to start on -- and a life I could have only dreamt about growing up."

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