“I wouldn’t do it,” PXG founder Bob Parsons reveals the real reason behind not renewing Patrick Reed’s contract following LIV Golf move

Bob Parsons, the founder of PXG, reveals the reason behind cutting ties with Patrick Reed and other LIV players.

“I wouldn’t do it,” PXG founder Bob Parsons reveals the real reason behind not renewing Patrick Reed’s contract following LIV Golf move

Credits: Public Domain

The schism between LIV Golf and PGA Tour has been a matter of contention for over a year. Several other stakeholders in golf, including equipment manufacturers, are now vocal about canceling their contracts with current LIV players. One of them is PXG founder Bob Parsons, who has sponsored several former PGA Tour players, including Patrick Reed.

In an interview with Esquire, Parsons reveals the main reasons behind his company not renewing contracts with current LIV players, including Patrick Reed. Parsons has confirmed this week how it would be hard for PXG to get involved with players under contract with a ‘Saudi bankrolled league.’

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Parsons, a 72-year-old war veteran having served in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, has made his sentiments clear, which comes from his nationalistic ideals. He has admitted that he cannot conduct business with LIV Golf entities, given “the stuff that went down at 9/11.”

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Related: Twitteratti on fire as Richard Bland and Eddie Pepperell’s controversial move sparks debate on LIV Golf’s Adelaide event

PXG boss Bob Parsons reveals his nationalistic sentiments as a reason behind not continuing with LIV Golf players, including Patrick Reed

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Bob Parsons (Credits: Financial Times)

LIV Golf has been a series of contention not only for the golf community and PGA loyalists but for the 9/11 victim families, there is a different, dark relation which they connect with the Saudi-backed tour. Out of the 19 hijackers who were involved in the Twin Tower attacks, fifteen of them belonged to Saudi Arabia. The Twin Tower attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, one of the deadliest in the United States.

The 9/11 community also accused LIV golf of an attempt at sports washing by the Saudi Arabian government, which is trying to improve its image over criticism for its human rights record. However, the government of Saudi Arabia has denied all such accusations of human rights abuse.

On that note, Parson says, “I will say this here, on the LIV tour, I consider myself a patriot. With the stuff that went down at 9/11, I have a hard time getting involved with them. I know, sometimes, bygones got to be bygones, and I’ve forgiven a lot of people. One of them is Jane Fonda for what she did during the Vietnam War. I’m no longer angry at her. I get it. She was young and stupid. But I just cannot bring myself to do anything with [LIV], and the guys who are heroes, they all agree with that.”

However, the controversy kicks in here for another different reason as well. Some other LIV players, such as Jason Kokrak and Hudson Swafford, still have their contracts with PXG. This was verified after their images were seen to be still appearing on the brand’s website as part of PXG Troops.

On this contract situation, Parsons further clarifies, “Well, we really don’t have guys on that tour. I mean, we’ve had some guys that had contracts that went on that tour, and I honored the contracts. But now that the contracts are up, I have no contract with them, and I don’t think they can contract with sponsors with the LIV tour, at least. I don’t know. I could be speaking out of school, but if I had an opportunity to come up and do it, I wouldn’t do it.”

This would not significantly impact Patrick Reed as he is still sponsored by the famous golf equipment brand TaylorMade. He still appears to be playing with a full bag of the brand’s clubs. Besides Patrick Reed, other LIV players also had to compromise on their sponsorship deal after moving to the Saudi-sponsored league. For example, Sergio Garcia lost out on his deal with Adidas after contracting with LIV Golf. Similarly, Cobra Puma Golf is not looking to continue with Bryson DeChambeau after their contract ends.

The new perspective from equipment manufacturers and brands on the LIV Golf ordeal does bring a whole new perspective to the ongoing chaotic fiasco in golf.

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