PGA Tour fan favourite hits out at source of tour cash

A popular figure on the PGA Tour has questioned other players’ greed after admitting current tour purses are big enough.

Joel Dahmen has voiced his concern over the shock partnership announced last week while claiming he would prefer not to play for Saudi money.

Speaking on the Fore Play podcast, he said: “We signed a deal with these people that we hammered for three years about how terrible they are, and we should not be with them.

• USGA announce record US Open purse

• Phil Mickelson hammered by heckler at US Open

“If they let me play mediocre golf for longer with more money, then that’s great, but I’d also prefer the money didn’t come from them.

“Rory [McIlroy] said he’s resigned himself to where the money’s coming from… but I’m still bummed about it.

“If you can’t play golf for an average of an $8-10 million purse, how much more do you need?”

The man’s got a point. pic.twitter.com/Qaz3At8rM5

— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) June 15, 2023

The 35-year-old is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, but golf fans began to take note of his personality following an appearance on Netflix’s Full Swing.

Dahmen has been viewed as a ‘relatable’ player, given his carefree outlook, summed up by his overarching impression of the PGA Tour and LIV partnership.

He added: “I didn’t believe it for a while, and then I realised it doesn’t matter because I can’t do anything about it.

“I was on the PAC (Players Advisory Council) for a year, and I realised very quickly what I said in there didn’t matter.”

• Record breakers set pace at US Open

• PGA Tour stars to be compensated by Saudis

The American’s social media following has skyrocketed since featuring on the golf docu-series, largely seen as ‘the people’s champ’.

Since joining the PGA Tour in 2017, Dahmen has earned over $10 million in prize money, and said: “If you played decent golf on the PGA Tour for a while, you’re going to be plenty rich enough.”

Dahmen currently sits T123 at the US Open, after a four-over-par curtain opener at LACC.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.