Donald Trump: PGA Tour have been taking advantage of players for years
Donald Trump did not hold back in his criticism of the PGA Tour as he calls on players to embrace the "very fine" Saudis.
Donald Trump has sounded off on the PGA Tour on his new platform Truth as he called on players to embrace the "very fine" Saudis.
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In an extraordinary outburst, the former U.S President claimed the PGA Tour had been taking advantage of its members for years.
He claimed the Tour was paying its executives excessive salaries and he called on players to "embrace" the Saudis, whom he described as "very fine people."
He event went as far as describing LIV Golf Investments chief executive Greg Norman as "a gentleman".
Earlier this week, Trump told Michael Bamberger of The Firepit Collective that he wasn't watching the PGA Championship in protest.
That was because the PGA of America had moved this year's tournament from Trump Bedminster to Southern Hills in the wake of the 6 January riots.
"Take the money and run (or stay!)," Trump wrote. "The PGA of 'America' and the PGA Tour have been taking advantage of the players for many years (not much different than charging fans $19 for a beer), and players are not happy.
"The 'PGA' has unlimited Tax Exempt status, makes a fortune, and pays executives salaries higher than virtually any of the very talented players can make in a good year.
"LIV can change that! Backed by Saudi Arabia, unlimited amounts of money will be available for the players, charity, and likewise the PGA will, because of this new competition, be forced to 'pay up', maybe even having to reduce their very bloated salaries.
"It was only because of competition that the Players Championship paid a record [purse] this year - great going Cam! Golfers should embrace LIV, and watch what happens – much more of everything for all!"
Trump Bedminster will host the third event on LIV Golf schedule, while the $50million grand finale of the eight-event series will be played at Trump National Doral.
Both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have refused their members releases to play in the inaugral event of the Saudi-backed series at Centurion Club next month.
Trump told The Firepit Collective: "I made a deal with them [LIV Golf Investments]. They're very good people. They're very fine people. Greg Norman's been a total gentleman, you know, and he's wanted to do this for years and now he has the right backers because, you know, [the Saudi money] is unlimited.
"They can do the job right. I think when you put up first-place prize money for $6 or $7million, I think a lot of people are gonna be showing up, to be honest with you."
Some players, including England's Richard Bland, have said they will play anyway and risk getting banned.
That is because Bland says he has an opportunity to make the next stage of his life "extremely comfortable" such is the money on offer.
European Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia have made no secret in their desires to participate in the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Even PGA Tour favourite Rickie Fowler has admitted he has not made a decision on his future.
"Are we independant contractors or not?" Fowler asked before the PGA Championship.
