Gary Player on golfers joining LIV Golf: 'They need the money'

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Gary Player defended golfers who decided to bolt the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league as the upstart organization finished its first tournament of the year.

Player, who won each major tournament once during his career and the Masters and PGA Championship three times each, told Sky Sports the golfers who decided to play for the controversial league needed the money.

Gary Player watches his tee shot on 11 in the 3M Greats of Golf during the Insperity Invitational at The Woodlands Country Club April 30, 2022, in The Woodlands, Texas.  (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"Golf is a wonderful game, and we must never forget this. The heart of the game is the amateur, not the professional. What saddens me is to see the fighting that's going on, and it's unnecessary," Player told the outlet. 

"Remember this, the players that are playing there now, they need the money. They've got families, and I don't blame them for playing there. There are not a lot of them that can win on the regular tour anymore, so they're wisely taking the money.

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"But, remember, the PGA Tour is the strongest tour, so there is a place in the sun for both tours. And I just hope they settle everything in an amicable way, and we go from strength to strength."

Charl Schwartzel was the first LIV Golf tournament winner and took home $4 million.

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Charl Schwartzel of Stinger GC celebrates with the LIV Golf Invitational individual trophy following his victory at the LIV Golf Invitational London at The Centurion Club June 11, 2022, in