HVIII: My wife said "f*** everybody" as I agonised over LIV Golf choice
Harold Varner III has revealed his wife's expletive-laden support was a key factor in why he decided to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
New LIV Golf signee Harold Varner III drew praise when he confirmed he was leaving the PGA Tour for a boat load of cash.
But perhaps it was his wife's expletive-laden support that really forced him to make the leap to a series that has already exposed him to a backlash.
In the 24 hours after announcing his decision, Varner explained that the response he received online was vitriolic. "It sucked," he told the media before this debut at LIV Golf Boston alongside Bubba Watson.
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"Who likes to be hated? It's terrible. I hate being hated. I'd rather not be -- not even be known than be hated," Varner said.
"So yeah, it was terrible. I just hate to be hated because you're doing what's best for you and whenever someone else is doing something that's best for them I'm like, how can I help, how can I help you make a better decision, why are you making this decision?
"That should be more of the language instead of like, well, you didn't do what I want you to do so I hate you, I'm done, I'm unfollowing. Like, you can't win that. People are just not right."
Varner has been consistently linked with LIV Golf since its inception. He was reportedly out after a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan.
He was asked how much he had considered the idea of never playing a PGA Tour event again and never playing in the majors if LIV doesn't get world ranking points.
Varner said that golf has "never been a way for me to get my name on a trophy". It was a way for him to "get out". The 32-year-old claims that was never smart enough to work a 9-5.
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"Yeah, you know, I'm okay with it [the possible ramifications of signing with LIV]," he said.
"Like it is what it is. I can't hate on what situation I'm in or what situation I'm not in. I can only do what's best for me at the time from the experience I've had as a kid and I'm actually super proud hey made a decision based off of what I believe in.
"I think it's very easy to get in a situation where you do what everyone else says you should do. Yeah, I think, I don't know, I just sat there. I think it's pretty bad when my wife is like, "F*** everybody. Do what you want to do."
He added: "And I was like, that is so cool. My wife is the most nicest person. She's like super, like, 'Oh, I don't know about this, I don't know.' And for her to say that, meant the world to me.
"So like it was on me and that's what men do. They provide, protect and try to do more, like any other job. I don't -- I just -- I don't know. Sometimes it baffles me. I know these places have been around for like, ever. But they have never been the reason why I play golf to be honest."
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Ben joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
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