Fred Couples: If LIV is So Good Why do they Need Signing Bonuses?

While Jon Rahm said last week that the money – a reported signing bonus in upwards of $500 million – was a contributing factor in him signing with LIV Golf, one World Golf Hall of Famer suggests it’s the only reason the Spaniard and other high-profile players have made the jump from the PGA Tour. 

Fred Couples, appearing on SiriusXM PGA Tour radio, said he would like to see someone join LIV without taking a huge signing bonus to get there. Couples says this proves that no one is joining LIV for anything but the money. 

Jon Rahm has said the size of his offer from LIV weighed into his decision to join the tour.

Fred Couples has no problem with that, but he’d like for everyone to stop telling him how great LIV’s product is.@fredcouplesgolf | @coachgeorge805 pic.twitter.com/E0CzcR3EgI

— SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) December 12, 2023

“I want the next one to go for free,” Couples said. “Go on CNN and every TV show and say why [LIV Golf] is that good. $100 million doesn’t get it; $200 million doesn’t get it; $300 million doesn’t get it. But for $400 million, it’s a great show? My a**.” 

Couples acknowledged that it’s not going to happen, which proves his point that money is the only factor that makes a difference. 

“No one is going to do that. What does that tell me? It tells me it’s all about the money, which is fine. But don’t sit there and then go on and say they’re changing the game … Arnold Palmer changed it. Jack Nicklaus changed it. Tiger Woods changed it. The LIV tour ain’t changing a thing.” 

DP World Tour golfer Eddie Pepperell, who is one of the sport’s most outspoken members, agreed with Couples.

Freddie is right on the money here.

And again, the fact LIV had to stump up $400m/$500m for Jon, doesn’t show what a success story it is, quite the opposite.

LIV will remain an awful product, even after signing Big Jon Rahm. https://t.co/uA9ExIG19v

— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) December 12, 2023

“The fact LIV had to stump up $400-$500 million for Jon doesn’t show what a success story it is. [It’s] quite the opposite,” Pepperell wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

After Rahm’s departure, recent reports have linked Tony Finau and Tyrrell Hatton as possible future LIV members. 

Cover Photo via X