PGA legend Curtis Strange on why pros jumped to LIV Golf: It’s about the money

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Some of the PGA Tour’s top-ranked players have given differing reasons for resigning their memberships and deciding to participate in the LIV Golf circuit. 

But, for one long-time tour member, the reasoning is quite simple. 

Curtis Strange, a 17-time PGA Tour winner and back-to-back U.S. Open champion (1988-89), told Fox News Digital this week he believes the biggest motivator for players joining the rival Saudi-backed golf league is the money. 

Curtis Strange is victorious after a shot during the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., June 19, 1988. (John Biever/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

"You know, there's one reason these players are going, and one reason only, and that's the appearance money," Strange said. 

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"I used to go overseas two or three times a year when I was playing well, and it was about the money. It was about appearance fees. But, at the same time, you were playing in tournaments that had substantial prize money. So you always try. I mean, but they were real-life world ranking tournaments, so it meant something — financially, reward-wise as far as world ranking points and your status in the game, which is very important. This is not the case."

The PGA Tour does not allow appearance fees while LIV golf does – similar to the DP World Tour. Players also compete for $20 million purses in addition to an additional $5 million prize for the team competition for each tournament. 

Players like Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson have reportedly signed deals with bonuses worth $150 million and $200 million, respectively. 

Phil Mickelson of Hy