“We knew what we were getting into”- Harold Varner vocalises on the OWGR controversy

“We knew what we were getting into”- Harold Varner vocalises on the OWGR controversy

Harold Varner III

The World Ranking points debate is one of the most talked about topics in the world of golf at the moment and Harold Varner is the latest entrant to this debate. The opinions have been divided on whether the LIV golfer should be awarded the ranking points or not.

Ahead of this week’s LIV event in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah – Graeme McDowell spoke passionately about why points should be awarded to the golfers from the rebel league and Harold Varner was impressed by his take but was practical on his take.

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“The word ‘Official’ has to go away from OWGR if they don’t take care of the players out here,” McDowell said. “It’s impossible to ignore the talent that’s out here. The only assurances that we get from LIV is that we are ticking all the boxes that we can tick and continue to do what is necessary for the OWGR to look at us the right way.”

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Harold Varner also hailed LIV Golf’s impact

Harold Varner III
Harold Varner III

In contrast to Graeme McDowell and many of his peers on the rival tour, Harold Varner expressed a different attitude.

“For me, I think we knew what we were getting into. I think it’s easy to sit here and say what could happen and what should happen, but obviously, I knew what was going to happen. It wasn’t going to be easy,” he said.

“I think it’s easy to sit here and say what could happen, what should happen. But obviously, for me, I knew what was going to happen. It wasn’t going to be easy. I think the people at LIV did an unbelievable job because I don’t know about the checkmarks [for OWGR points]. Honestly, I could care less. I knew exactly what was going to happen. I knew what could happen in my career, and I accept that” he added.

Last week, OWGR said it was unable to review LIV’s new “strategic alliance” with the Mena Tour in sufficient time to allow ranking points to be earned in October events, including in Jeddah this weekend.

The Saudi-backed league has also considered some limited cuts to comply with the OWGR protocol. After winning his LIV event in Bangkok, Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra said in an interview that the controversial league is considering changing from 48 to 45 after his 36 holes.

Varner, when asked whether this idea of a cut was crazy – the American golfer stated: “No man! Calm down. I’m not trying to get cut.”

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