By Fatiha Betscher, Valderrama.
“I just cut my phone off!”
The reaction of reigning LIV Golf champion Harold Varner III when asked his thoughts on hearing the news earlier this month that there would be a ceasefire in the men’s pro golf war.
Varner III, 32, turned pro 11-years ago and while capturing the 2016 Australian PGA Championship, it was a lean time for an American-born golfer who has competed around the globe.
Though that all changed in a dramatic and brilliant manner when he eagled the 72nd hole to capture last year’s Asian Tour backed PIF Saudi International in Saudi Arabia. His reaction to victory on the Royal Greens course endeared himself to sports fans the world over.
However, that outpouring of joy is a complete opposite in his reaction to global news of a likely end to golfing hostilities.
“I just got tired of listening to something that no-one really knows what they’re talking about, so you have people trying to make something of it but I feel that it is just hard trying to answer a question asked of you when you don’t know what is going on,” he said.
“Yes, I kind of expected such news but then I am indifferent as it will affect everyone playing out here. The powers to be have to do their thing and I am happy to leave it all in their hands.”
Despite Varner’s stance and taking on board what he was saying, I persisted like a good journalist, to ask if he would consider accepting the offer if there was the future opportunity to be able to play on both the LIV Tour and also PGA and DP World Tours.
“I would have to see how it all transpires but I like a lot where I am playing right now,” he said.
“I like playing in these short amounts along with how much we are making, and having lots of fun while we are doing it.
“The great thing I like about LIV is not playing that much. I like the format, I like the team aspect, so it’s really cool.
“There’s also a strong camaraderie out here but that could change with more sponsors coming on board as the tour grows.
“All I know is that I am looking forward to these two weeks but my main priority is that I just want to play well.”
Speaking with Varner III, he was hoping to shake off the after effects of a severe bout of jet-lag ahead of Thursday’s start to the inaugural LIV Golf Valderrama.
Varner III, a winner exactly a month ago of the LIV Golf Washington DC, jetted-in from South Carolina for a first visit to Spain.
“After a good night’s sleep, the body and the mind feel a whole lot better now, as I just jet-lagged but I will be ready to go tomorrow,” he said.
“It’s my first visit to Spain, so naturally I’ve not played here before but it is some golf course though if the wind continues to blow, it is going to play really hard.
“My job is just to be prepared to play. I can’t control the other stuff but saying that, the condition of the golf course is unbelievable. A good thing also my caddy is no stranger to the golf course, as he’s been before with the European Tour.”
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