Lee Westwood on those who called him disloyal over his move to LIV: “They were brainwashed”

Lee Westwood has made headlines again with his outspoken defense of LIV Golf, the controversial breakaway tour. In a recent appearance on LIV Golf’s ‘Fairway to Heaven’ podcast, the 51-year-old Englishman didn’t hold back in addressing the criticism that has surrounded his decision to join LIV Golf.

Westwood’s comments are a direct challenge to those who have questioned his loyalty, painting them as victims of a “brainwashed audience” driven by financial motives.

Lee Westwood’s defense of LIV Golf is not just a reaction to personal criticism but also a broader commentary on the motivations behind the backlash against the Saudi-backed series. His remarks come at a time when tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continue to simmer, with the future of the sport’s structure hanging in the balance.

Westwood’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. Over three decades as a professional golfer, he has established himself as one of the most consistent and respected players in the sport. A former World No. 1 and a seven-time Ryder Cup winner, Westwood has been a stalwart on the European Tour, often choosing to remain in Europe rather than chase ranking points in the United States.

This decision, which he attributes to a deep sense of loyalty to the European circuit, has been a defining feature of his career.

Lee Westwood’s involvement with LIV Golf began as one of its inaugural members, making him a key figure in the series’ early development. As co-captain of Majesticks GC, he has embraced the team aspect of LIV Golf, a format that differs significantly from the traditional individualistic approach of the PGA Tour.

His role in LIV Golf is not just as a player but also as a mentor and leader, guiding younger players and contributing to the growth of the new tour.

Lee Westwood Speaks Out on LIV Golf and PGA Tour Criticism

During his recent podcast appearance, Lee Westwood was candid about his views on the criticism directed at LIV Golf and its players. He highlighted what he sees as a misguided understanding of loyalty within the golf community, especially among those who have spoken out against the players who joined LIV:

“After 30 years of being a professional Sportsman I’ve learned not to give a what anybody thinks… disloyalty is such a big word it’s a it’s a word that has carries so much weight and it almost accuses your integrity as a person, which to me is so offensive.”

“I’ve been a member of the European tour for nearly 30 years and I’ve won in the US twice, didn’t take up membership there, you know, stayed on the European Tour…I enjoyed playing in Europe and that’s where I felt like I belonged…”

“I stayed in Europe and played European tour events, to support them and you know add to those fields I suppose so I clearly have a very different idea about loyalty than people who have said stupid things.”

Lee Westwood went further, accusing the critics of being “brainwashed” by individuals with financial interests in the PGA Tour.

“I think a lot of those people are now starting to understand that they were being brainwashed by certain people with just purely financial motivations in their mind,” he said.

According to Lee Westwood, the narrative constructed around LIV Golf and its players was designed to create a clear divide between what was portrayed as the “good” PGA Tour and the “bad” LIV Golf, a tactic he believes was driven by financial concerns rather than genuine sporting integrity.

This criticism reflects a broader frustration within the LIV Golf community, where many feel that the opposition to their tour is rooted more in the financial implications for established tours like the PGA than in any real concern for the sport’s future. Westwood’s comments suggest that he sees the attacks on LIV Golf as part of a calculated effort to protect the financial interests of those involved with the PGA Tour.

Lee Westwood’s remarks also touch on the ongoing conflict between LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour. This “golf civil war,” as it has been dubbed, shows no signs of abating, with negotiations for unification moving slowly, much to Westwood’s disappointment.

He expressed his frustration at the lack of progress, particularly in resolving issues around LIV players’ eligibility to compete in events outside their circuit.

Westwood’s experience at the US Senior Open in June, where he played with an exemption due to his Ryder Cup history, highlighted the challenges faced by LIV players. Despite his participation, Westwood lamented that players like him and Richard Bland, who won the event, are often excluded from other competitions due to their association with LIV Golf.

“The consensus of opinion of everybody that I talked to said it’s great to see myself and Richard playing here,” Westwood noted, underscoring the widespread support for greater inclusion of LIV players in top tournaments.

As the debate over LIV Golf continues, Lee Westwood’s voice remains a powerful one, challenging the status quo and defending his choices against what he sees as unjust criticism. His comments are a reminder that the battle for the future of golf is far from over, with loyalty, financial interests, and the very structure of the sport all hanging in the balance.