After last month’s Masters, Padraig Harrington, the reigning two-time major champion, expressed disapproval of LIV Golf’s lack of a sanctioning process for swearing at events, in contrast to the PGA Tour.
After watching Jon Rahm and other players compete in the Masters tournament last month, Padraig Harrington has voiced concerns about the behaviors of players on the LIV Golf circuit.
In April, Rahm—the reigning champion—participated in the Augusta National tournament alongside twelve other LIV stars. Regretfully, the 2023 Green Jacket winner’s expectations were not met.
With a final round score of nine over par, he tied for 45th place, 20 shots behind winner Scottie Scheffler.
Throughout the week, the two-time major champion golfer did not hide his frustrations, especially in the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday. The tournament was more difficult in the early going because of the difficult conditions at Augusta National Golf Club.
When Rahm missed the fairway to the right on the 18th tee in the opening round, he clearly showed his frustration.
He was surrounded by a string of profanity words as he walked towards his tee shot despite his outburst.
Rahm wasn’t the only one who vented verbally in frustration.
The TV microphones caught his LIV Golf teammate Tyrrell Hatton, who was heard swearing loudly during his third round alongside Tiger Woods, letting his guard down as well. Rahm and Hatton were told when they moved to Saudi earlier this year that, in contrast to the PGA Tour, they would not face consequences for using foul language on the course.
Their former Ryder Cup captain, Harrington, seemed unimpressed with their choice of words at the first major of the year. To the Rough Cut Podcast, Harrington said. “There was a significant amount of extra swearing from LIV players during last week’s Masters.
“It’s evident that LIV players are not penalized for using profanity, and while I wouldn’t say it’s encouraged, it doesn’t deter them from doing so either. It was thus intriguing to see that some players who had previously held back but are now LIV players were letting go completely.
“I have no problem with the occasional swearing or something like that, but it was a little excessive. There has to be some kind of limit on it. That was interesting, then. Simply put, it’s not a huge deal or anything. The Irishman played on the PGA and DP World Tours for the most of his career before moving on to the Champions Tour after turning 50.
Harrington stated that he takes great satisfaction in upholding his standards of manners when competing and expressed his hope that players on the Saudi-backed circuit would refrain from bringing negative habits into the professional golf game. “Yes, LIV isn’t holding back on that, and perhaps that’s something I wouldn’t want to see in the game,” he continued.
I still firmly believe in adhering to the game’s etiquette, but I used to be very strict about it.
I try not to behave in a way that would cause me to break a club or curse.
But now that I’m more at ease, I don’t really care what other players do as long as they don’t interfere with their playing partners or harm the course.
Therefore, I wouldn’t be bothered if another player wanted to break 14 clubs; instead, I would find it humorous. It’s not very significant.
But I wouldn’t be happy if he decided to harm a section of the golf course. It’s acceptable to act out against yourself if you so choose.
When they see another player lose their cool, most other players find it funny. However, it must be under some sort of control. It was a little over the top.
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