LIV Golf continues to draw criticism and create controversy in the golf world as it lures some of the top talent from the PGA Tour.
While money had undoubtedly been a major factor in LIV Tour’s growing talent pool, some defectors have expressed indignation that their moves were monetarily motivated. Many have claimed their motivations to be more revolutionary (attempting to shake up the game) or altruistic (making golf a truly global sport).
David Feherty, who announced in late July that he was leaving NBC to broadcast LIV Golf, does not care to hear such rhetoric. He left no doubt as to why he joined the new, Saudi-backed tour in an interview with The Blade:
“Money,” Feherty said. “People don’t talk about it. I hear, ‘Well, it’s to grow the game.’ Bulls—. They paid me a lot of money.”
MORE: Why David Feherty left NBC to join the LIV Golf broadcast team
Feherty, one of the most distinct voices in golf, also added that LIV Golf has allowed him to be his truest self on broadcasts. He mentioned that, in previous years, he presented a more buttoned-up version of himself on network broadcasts. He sees no such restrictions with his new employer.
“(LIV is) an opportunity to be myself again,” Feherty told the Blade. “It’s becoming more and more difficult, especially in sports broadcasting, to have any kind of character.
“Charles Barkley (of TNT) can say pretty much anything he wants, because it’s, ‘Oh, that’s just Charles.’ And it is just Charles. But I have become more and more guarded over the last few years.”
That’s not entirely disparate from what he said in announcing his jump to the LIV tour:
“As a storyteller, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to help write a new chapter in this sport’s history,” Feherty said in a statement. “LIV Golf is developing ideas and innovations that are going to grow the audience and engage the next generation of players and fans. I’m excited by the energy LIV Golf is creating and I’m eager to contribute to a world class broadcast production that has a vision towards the future.”
That, and the money.