Golf legend Gary Player rips LIV Golf, Cameron Smith: 'They don’t have the confidence they can be winners'

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Golf legend Gary Player staunchly defended the PGA Tour against the LIV Golf series as the Saudi-backed rival league gets set to play in Boston over the weekend.

The 86-year-old who has won nine major tournaments over his illustrious career appeared on BBC Radio 5Live on Wednesday and could not come to terms with anyone being a champion who played 54 holes over the course of a three-day event.

"I wouldn’t take a billion dollars for my nine majors on both tours. I worked hard. I had desire. I traveled the world. It was an education, I met wonderful people," Player said. "How can you ever be a champion playing a tour with 54 holes and no cut?

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Jack Nicklaus speaks with Gary Player of South Africa on the first tee during the Celebration of Champions prior to The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 11, 2022, in St Andrews, Scotland. (Richard Heathcote/R&A via Getty Images)

"What sort of tour is that? 54 holes, no cut, a team event nobody understands. It’s a tour for people who don’t have confidence in their future. They don’t have the confidence they can be winners. It’s never going to compare to the regular tour. No chance. They’ve declared war on the PGA Tour."

Player said those who left for the renegade league should not expect to be a part of the Presidents Cup or the Ryder Cup.

One of the top defectors was reigning British Open champion Cameron Smith. Player said he was not sure what the future held for Smith.

LIV GOLF RECEIVES COLD WELCOME AHEAD BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP, PLAYERS ASKED NOT TO WEAR BRANDED APPAREL

Cameron Smith, of Australia, during a practice round prior to the LIV