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
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.
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."
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."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
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 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
-
Charley Hull Reveals Motivational Bet With Boyfriend After Fast Start At The Annika
The World No.12 shared the lead after round one of The Annika and explained a bet with her boyfriend which helped keep her foot on the gas
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'It's A Bit Disgraceful'- Solheim Cup Legend Weighs In On Ryder Cup Pay Debate
Dame Laura Davies says it's "a bit disgraceful" that Ryder Cup players want paying to take part in the event
By Paul Higham Published
-
Paulina Gretzky Reveals Death Threats And Other 'Awful, Awful, Awful Things' After Dustin Johnson's LIV Golf Move
The daughter of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky shared some personal stories from around the time of her husband's switch from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf on Full Swing Season 2
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
How To Watch LIV Golf Chicago: Live Stream The Action
Follow a LIV Golf Chicago Live Stream to see all the action. Sebastián Muñoz goes into the final round three shots clear
By Roderick Easdale Last updated
-
How To Watch LIV Golf Bedminster: Live Stream The Action
Cameron Smith takes a one-shot lead into the final round. Follow a LIV Golf Bedminster Live Stream to see all the action
By Roderick Easdale Last updated
-
LIV Golf Greenbrier Live Stream: How To Watch All The Action
Matthew Wolff and David Puig are joint leaders going into the final day. Follow a LIV Golf Greenbrier Live Stream to see all the action
By Roderick Easdale Last updated
-
Which Americans Are Set To Miss Out On The Ryder Cup?
The Open was one of the last chances for a number of big names to make an impression on Zach Johnson and several are already on their way home
By Mark Townsend Published
-
'No Poaching' Players Clause Removed From PGA Tour-PIF Deal
A clause in the PGA Tour-PIF deal that prohibited poaching players from either the tour or LIV Golf has been removed after concerns it could break federal employment law
By Paul Higham Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Says Lack Of Clarity Over PGA Tour/PIF Deal 'A Bit Worrisome'
World No.1 Scheffler has spoken out over his frustrations and concerns about the proposed link up between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund
By James Nursey Published
-
LIV Golf Team Championship Moves From Jeddah Back To Miami
The Team Championship will return to Trump Doral in Miami this year, LIV Golf has confirmed
By James Nursey Published