Harold Varner Applauded After Explaining Decision To Sign With LIV Golf

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Harold Varner III Wells Fargo Championship
Harold Varner III tees off on the 13th hole in round two of the Wells Fargo Championship on May 3, 2019 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte,NC. (Photo by Dannie Walls Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Before Tiger Woods hit a golf ball as a pro on the PGA Tour, he’d signed a contract with Nike worth more than $100 million. Today he’s a billionaire.

In 2017, at 28-years-old, Rory McIlroy had reportedly earned more than $200 million (and “plenty more where that came from”), most of which came via off-course sponsorships.

These facts are rarely, if ever, mentioned by the media, when framing Woods and McIlroy as somehow virtuous for not taking the LIV’s “blood money.”

On the other hand, over the past three PGA Tour seasons (2020-2022), spanning 74 total starts, Harold Varner III has earned $5,367,754, for an average of $1,789,251 per season.

Now, this is a good annual salary, no doubt. But Tour players are all independent contractors, meaning they each operate as their own small business. And so that $1.7 million is HV3 LLC’s gross revenue, not HV3’s personal income. After it pays for agents, caddie, travel, lodging, and taxes, Varner himself ends up with something closer to $700k – still a very nice income but not enough to set your family up for life.

By signing with LIV Golf, Varner will reportedly earn $15 million up front, with the opportunity to make millions more in the big-money series, where first-place pays $4 million and last-place awards over $100k.

“The truth is, my life is changing,” wrote Varner in a statement posted to social media. “The opportunity to join LIV Golf is simply too good of a financial breakthrough for me to pass by.

“I know what it means to grow up without much. This money is going to ensure that my kid and future Varners will have a solid base to start on – and a life I could only dreamt about growing up.”

His explanation was met (mostly) with appreciation and applause from golf fans and colleagues.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. True. HV3 nailed it. Let’s face it, the game is changing. Baseball, football, soccer and basketball players all receive big upfront money contracts that set them and their family up for life. They know their window to produce and earn can perhaps be very narrow. Age, injuries and the desire to be more involved with family and a life after sports is now more important than ever. Good for Harold! He has his priorities in the right place. All this talk of legacy and loyalty to the PGA is nice, but what about the legacy you leave for your children and grandchildren. Excited to be watching HV3 on LIV!
  2. I  knew about HVIII at ECU where my daughter was playing volleyball.  We saw him at Torrey Pines and got his attention saying purple and gold, ECU colors.  He talked to us after his tee shot and invited our daughter to walk a ways with him on the course. I never saw or heard of this on tour ever.  I have  been an avid fan of his since then and do not watch golf unless he is playing.  LIV did not change my opinion of him and I will follow LIV golf because of him.  A golf commentator said that when Harold walks into a room it makes it a better place.  I have never heard something like that about any golfer.  He has moved LIV to the top.
  3. HOW YOU MADE THE RIGHT DECISION. EXPLANATION WAS SUPERB. IF THIS HELPS YOU ARE RIGHT ON BRO I’M VERY PROUD OF YOU. Paul Cunningham.

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