I learned who my real golf friends are after ‘aggressive’ confrontation and bad mouthing
Former world number one golfer Martin Kaymer has delivered an explosive interview about his move to LIV Golf. Two-time major winner Kaymer was among numerous big-name defectors for the inaugural season of the controversial breakaway tour in 2022. Kaymer has waited two years to hit out at his criticsGetty It sparked an unsavoury fallout among professional stars – with PGA Tour and DP World Tour loyalists such as Rory McIlroy making their feelings clear about those who chose to leave. Tensions have cooled somewhat in recent months as the three leading tours look to strike a deal to merge their operations. But Kaymer, an ex-Ryder Cup star who delivered the winning point for Europe at the famous ‘Miracle at Medinah’, has revealed he lost a number of friends over his move to LIV Golf. “I wish everyone had treated each other in a respectful way back then,” Kaymer told Golf Digest. “Had that happened, I would have missed a few people on the DP World Tour. But after the way we were treated, I soon discovered that most of the relationships I had were based on superficial stuff. I have found out who my friends really are. He continued: “I have had to listen to players who are on the board of the European Tour bad mouth me. “They have talked so much crap about certain things. I have to laugh, especially as I saw them talking to LIV. They wanted to be here themselves. So while I respect them as players, do I miss them as people? Not really.” While LIV Golf players are suspended from the PGA Tour, they have been able to compete on the DP World Tour by paying fines and serving suspensions, or appealing by the sanctions. Kaymer ruffled some feathers by competing at the 2022 International Open in his native Germany, having won the tournament in 2008. And he reveals that anger spilled over in an ‘aggressive confrontation’ with a unnamed rival golfer. Kaymer says bridges have been burned in recent yearsGetty “Another player who is on the DP World Tour board said some things to me after that event,” Kaymer added. “Right after that event, he told me that, had he been me, he would have taken the LIV contract and told everyone he wasn’t ever going to play on the DP World Tour again. He said it was wrong for me to be there in Germany and play. “I found his view ridiculous, especially when I later saw him walking into a house in Florida to speak to Greg Norman. I mean, come on. It’s a joke. He thought I shouldn’t be able to play in my own country, in an event I have won and in front of people who want me to be there. That was his position. And he did it in such an aggressive way. I mean, why did he even care? It is my career.” Despite struggling for form in recent years, Kaymer has earned more than $1million since joining LIV Golf, along with what would have been a seven-figure minimum sign-on fee. And the 39-year-old believes DP World Tour players who snubbed LIV Golf will look back with regret. “Back then they were against us,” Kaymer said. “Now there is a lot of jealousy. “I believe a lot of DP World Tour players think the tour should have gone with LIV. The PGA Tour only dealt with the DP World Tour because they had to do so if they wanted to keep the Europeans away from LIV. “That’s how it feels to me. I have to be honest. If you are jealous and want the things I have, say so. But don’t talk s*** about me.”
Former world number one golfer Martin Kaymer has delivered an explosive interview about his move to LIV Golf.
Two-time major winner Kaymer was among numerous big-name defectors for the inaugural season of the controversial breakaway tour in 2022.
It sparked an unsavoury fallout among professional stars – with PGA Tour and DP World Tour loyalists such as Rory McIlroy making their feelings clear about those who chose to leave.
Tensions have cooled somewhat in recent months as the three leading tours look to strike a deal to merge their operations.
But Kaymer, an ex-Ryder Cup star who delivered the winning point for Europe at the famous ‘Miracle at Medinah’, has revealed he lost a number of friends over his move to LIV Golf.
“I wish everyone had treated each other in a respectful way back then,” Kaymer told Golf Digest.
“Had that happened, I would have missed a few people on the DP World Tour. But after the way we were treated, I soon discovered that most of the relationships I had were based on superficial stuff. I have found out who my friends really are.
He continued: “I have had to listen to players who are on the board of the European Tour bad mouth me.
“They have talked so much crap about certain things. I have to laugh, especially as I saw them talking to LIV. They wanted to be here themselves. So while I respect them as players, do I miss them as people? Not really.”
While LIV Golf players are suspended from the PGA Tour, they have been able to compete on the DP World Tour by paying fines and serving suspensions, or appealing by the sanctions.
Kaymer ruffled some feathers by competing at the 2022 International Open in his native Germany, having won the tournament in 2008.
And he reveals that anger spilled over in an ‘aggressive confrontation’ with a unnamed rival golfer.
“Another player who is on the DP World Tour board said some things to me after that event,” Kaymer added.
“Right after that event, he told me that, had he been me, he would have taken the LIV contract and told everyone he wasn’t ever going to play on the DP World Tour again. He said it was wrong for me to be there in Germany and play.
“I found his view ridiculous, especially when I later saw him walking into a house in Florida to speak to Greg Norman. I mean, come on. It’s a joke. He thought I shouldn’t be able to play in my own country, in an event I have won and in front of people who want me to be there. That was his position. And he did it in such an aggressive way. I mean, why did he even care? It is my career.”
Despite struggling for form in recent years, Kaymer has earned more than $1million since joining LIV Golf, along with what would have been a seven-figure minimum sign-on fee.
And the 39-year-old believes DP World Tour players who snubbed LIV Golf will look back with regret.
“Back then they were against us,” Kaymer said. “Now there is a lot of jealousy.
“I believe a lot of DP World Tour players think the tour should have gone with LIV. The PGA Tour only dealt with the DP World Tour because they had to do so if they wanted to keep the Europeans away from LIV.
“That’s how it feels to me. I have to be honest. If you are jealous and want the things I have, say so. But don’t talk s*** about me.”
