Bubba Watson, perhaps the most famous golfer to play at UGA, has revealed his reasons for joining the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Tour this week.
“My wife loved it,” Watson told Golf.com’s Kevin Cunningham. “We prayed about it, we came to the decision and here we are.” Watson also said he “loves growing the game of golf” and that he’s interested in LIV’s team concept.
Watson, 43, is one of the biggest names yet to make the switch. Per reports, Watson was paid around $50 million to leave the PGA Tour. Watson is a two-time winner of The Masters, and played at UGA from 2000 to 2001. He hasn’t won a golf tournament since 2018.
This golf season, Watson has been sidelined since May with a knee injury. He’ll participate with the LIV as a TV commentator immediately, and he then will pick up play next year.
“Bubba Watson is a tremendous addition to LIV Golf – another major champion joining the growing list of stars on our teams. His game combines the power, innovation, and excitement that the LIV Golf brand represents,” said LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman. “He’s a risk-taker who has cemented his name among the world’s very best and we’re eager for him to come aboard to bring new energy and audiences to this league.”
The LIV is a start-up tour that’s trying to compete with the PGA. LIV is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia