The PGA Tour’s plan to merge with LIV Golf in a historic deal last week drew reactions from all sides of the sport and some outside of it.
On Saturday, LIV golfer Martin Kaymer added his voice, criticizing PGA Tour players who criticized Saudi Arabian officials and said players joining the series were selling their souls for «blood money.» .
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Martin Kaymer plays a shot from a bunker during the LIV Golf Invitational – Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course on October 8, 2022 in Pathum Thani. (Peter Van der Klooster/Getty Images)
«I’m really looking forward now to seeing the reaction of all the people who said: ‘We don’t want to play for blood money… We don’t want to sell our soul,'» Kaymer told The Telegraph in a story. posted on Saturday.
«Well now they need to move to Japan [and play on the Japan Tour]in order to stay true to his word.
Kaymer said that despite the criticism, he would stay true to himself no matter what.
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Martin Kaymer speaks to the media prior to the LIV Golf Team Championship – Miami on October 26, 2022 in Doral, Florida. (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf/via Getty Images)
«I faced my values and I faced the feeling of my heart,» he told the outlet. «I was brave enough and I defended myself in front of a lot of people, also here in Germany, who criticized me and criticized me.
«Interestingly, they have sent me nice messages. [since the announcement]. It’s such a hypocritical world we live in… so it’s even more important to make your own decisions. Don’t be too judgmental because when it’s all said and done, you might as well do the same.»
The 38-year-old native of Germany won the PGA Championship in 2019 and the US Open in 2014. He has 23 professional wins.
Martin Kaymer hits a tee shot during the LIV Golf Invitational – Tulsa at Cedar Ridge Country Club on May 13, 2023, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
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Kaymer made his LIV Golf debut in 2022. He finished no better than 12th in any of the seven events he entered. This year, Kaymer’s best finish came in Washington. He finished in 25th place with a two-under pair. He was 3 under in Tulsa in the previous event, but finished 41st.