Golf legend Gary Participant rips LIV Golf, Cameron Smith: 'They never have the self esteem they can be winners'

Golf legend Gary Participant staunchly defended the PGA Tour versus the LIV Golf sequence as the Saudi-backed rival league gets established to engage in in Boston in excess of the weekend.

The 86-yr-outdated who has gained nine important tournaments more than his illustrious occupation appeared on BBC Radio 5Live on Wednesday and could not come to terms with everyone remaining a winner who performed 54 holes over the system of a three-working day function.

"I wouldn’t just take a billion dollars for my nine majors on both of those excursions. I worked tricky. I experienced desire. I traveled the world. It was an schooling, I achieved excellent people," Participant reported. "How can you ever be a champion taking part in a tour with 54 holes and no lower?

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Jack Nicklaus speaks with Gary Player of South Africa on the to start with tee all through the Celebration of Champions prior to The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Program on July 11, 2022, in St Andrews, Scotland. (Richard Heathcote/R&A by means of Getty Photos)

"What type of tour is that? 54 holes, no minimize, a staff event no person understands. It is a tour for persons who never have confidence in their potential. They really don't have the self esteem they can be winners. It is in no way likely to review to the normal tour. No probability. They’ve declared war on the PGA Tour."

Participant mentioned all those who still left for the renegade league should not anticipate to be a part of the Presidents Cup or the Ryder Cup.

A single of the top rated defectors was reigning British Open up champion Cameron Smith. Participant said he was not sure what the long term held for Smith.

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Cameron Smith, of Australia, during a follow round prior to the LIV Golfing Invitational - Boston at The Oaks golfing system at The Worldwide on August 31, 2022, in Bolton, Massachusetts. (Jonathan Ferrey/LIV Golf/via Getty Images)

"Here’s a younger man I seriously considered was heading to be a celebrity. Now what form of future does he have? Will he be ready to notice this terrific aspiration of staying a winner? I really don't know," Player explained in the radio interview, introducing that he understood why Henrik Stenson made a decision to go – economic explanations.

"But this is a possible superstar. I believe his advisers have specified him the improper tips."

Smith was the most up-to-date golfer to bolt for the rival league, joining Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and a myriad of others.

Participant has his own relationship with Saudi Arabia – getting an ambassador for Saudi Golfing. He wore a Saudi Golf symbol when he was an honorary starter for the Masters and wore an Aramco Staff Sequence patch for the duration of an celebration prior to The Open up Championship.

Gary Player gestures at the 3rd green prior to The Senior Open up Presented by Rolex at The King's Training course on July 19, 2022, in Gleneagles, United Kingdom. (Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

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He initially defended people who jumped to LIV Golfing simply because "they desired the funds," in accordance to Golf Digest.