Bubba Watson lifts lid on PGA Tour's ugly secret: 'We've all been doing that'
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson has lifted the lid on appearance money on the PGA Tour, a practice which is supposedly banned.
The 43-year-old, who reportedly received around $70 million to sign with Greg Norman's LIV Golf earlier this year, was responding to criticism that the tournaments on the Saudi-funded tour don't have cuts, therefore guaranteeing every golfer a cheque.
"It makes me laugh because on the PGA Tour, I got paid behind closed doors to show up at tournaments, many tournaments," Watson told ESPN.
READ MORE: Red Bull boss fumes at 'hugely worrying' move
READ MORE: Under fire Simmons ruled out with injury
READ MORE: Surprise name emerges as Australia's next T20 captain
"And if Bubba Watson's not the best, that means the best were getting paid better than me and more than me. And so it's guaranteed money. I miss the cut, I still make money. I make the cut, I make extra money."
Appearance fees, common in international golf, are banned on the PGA Tour. The reality is, however, sponsors expect players they support to turn up at their events. For example, Tiger Woods had a long-term deal with Buick, he won the Buick Invitational six times and the Buick Open three times, tournaments he was likely contractually bound to play.
"I'd laugh because we all had some guaranteed money to show up at places," Watson said.
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. Getty
"Win, lose, quit, whatever it is, you still got the money. We've all been doing that. We've all been playing for guaranteed money.
"The critics, it just makes me laugh because that's what we're doing. We don't want to talk about it on tour, but we are getting it."
In a statement to ESPN, the PGA Tour defended the practice.
"We are aware that certain tournament sponsors may contract with a player to perform a sponsor-related activity during tournament week for which they receive nominal compensation," the PGA Tour said.
"This is permissible under our guidelines."
The highest-profile stars who have signed with LIV Golf: Leaked photo confirms Aussie's backflip
