PGA Tour pro claims LIV Golf stars ‘deserve’ Saudi riches as Jay Monahan criticism continues.

The likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm received remarkable amounts of money to join LIV Golf – and Chris DiMarco believes it’s well deserved

PGA Tour stalwart Chris DiMarco believes Phil Mickelson and others deserve the eye-watering amounts of money paid out to them for making the move to LIV Golf.

An abundance of PGA Tour players, including Mickelson, were offered significant contracts to join the LIV league and have since been participating in high-stakes tournaments with reduced playing schedules.

Initially, those who chose to switch to the Saudi league faced backlash, but DiMarco is unbothered by the breakaway competition and would have accepted the offer if given the chance.

“They desired to compete for a substantial amount of money, and they earned it. They have had successful careers, so why not go after some financial reward?” expressed the three-time PGA Tour champion in an interview with the Subpar Podcast.

“I saw Graeme McDowell at the Old Memorial Pro Member, and he goes, ‘Listen, I went up to Jay Monahan and said I love the tour but I am struggling to keep my card and these guys are offering me all this money and less golf. I’m sorry, I’m going.’ And I do not blame him one bit, and I said I would have too.”

DiMarco – who now plays his golf on the Champions Tour – became the latest pro to criticise commissioner Jay Monahan’s handling of the PGA Tour’s recent saga created by their LIV rivals. Initially, Monahan took a zero-tolerance approach to the Saudi setup, banning any player that opted to defect.

In June of last year, the commissioner surprised the golf community by abruptly changing course and revealing a preliminary agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) – the funders of LIV. Talks with PIF are still in progress, but it is anticipated that as a part of the agreement, those who departed will have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour.

Monahan’s shift in position has caused dissatisfaction among several players, including DiMarco. He stated, “I don’t want to criticize Jay Monahan, but I believe he mishandled the situation.” According to him, Monahan’s initial uncompromising stance was excessive.

“I believe he should have taken some time to contemplate and anticipate the outcome, but he reached a point where he saw it in a very clear, straightforward manner.

I think he could have handled the situation more effectively, considering the support the guys had shown. For instance, Rory McIlroy and others have rejected lucrative offers, but what do they have to show for it?

They are allowed to return and compete, I would be rather displeased if I were in their shoes.”