Bubba Watson rumored to be leaving PGA Tour for Saudi-backed LIV Golf
The roaring LIV Golf tour backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is rumored by The Daily Telegraph in London and Golf Digest to have poached another player from the PGA, and this time it's a Pensacola area hometown hero.
Milton High graduate and professional golfer Bubba Watson is reportedly set to be the next pro to compete in the sport's newest league, accepting an offer of roughly $70 million.
Golf Digest tweeted Wednesday "Bubba Watson is headed to LIV Golf."
He could become the latest in a long line of big names who have left the PGA to chase larger prize purses in LIV Golf competition, joining former world number ones in Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Lee Westwood to compete in tournaments with $25 million purses.
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The continued controversy regarding the new league ensues with each player announcing their decision to join LIV, as they've been widely criticized to be sportswashing. In simpler terms, certain groups of people, mainly human rights groups, believe Saudi Arabia is trying to cleanse its tarnished international image by hosting this league with worldwide professional figures.
LIV Golf has been steadfast in shooting down that notion, stating they are doing it for growth of the game. American CEO Greg Norman has said his intentions are passion-based.
At the least, Watson would get a fresh start with LIV Golf as he was winless on the PGA Tour in the 2021-22 season. His best finish was a fourth-place tie in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. His next best placements were a tie for 14th and a tie for 26th. His last PGA Tour win came in the 2017-18 season in the Dell Technologies Championship.
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He made $610,000 in prize money this past season and has a FedExCup ranking of 159th. If this is the end of Watson's tenure in the PGA, his last time hitting the course was the PGA Championship in May.
A pro since 2002, Watson would play in his first LIV Golf tournament at the age of 43.
Lucas Semb can be reached at Lsemb@pensacol.gannett.com or 850-281-7414. Follow him on Twitter at @Lucas_Semb for stories and various Pensacola area score updates.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: LIV Golf rumors: Bubba Watson leaving PGA Tour for Saudi-backed venture
