Read more: Golf Legend Colin Montgomerie Says It's Time for Tiger Woods to Retire

Some of golf's biggest names have made the controversial jump to the upstart LIV Golf circuit in recent months, shaking up the landscape of the game. However, one player who opted to stay on the PGA Tour against the temptation of Saudi-backed riches is Norway's Viktor Hovland. In a revealing interview with this reporter, Hovland opened up about his decision-making process and reasons for not following others to Greg Norman's rebel league.

Viktor Hovland has opened up on his decision to reject joining the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, revealing money was not the primary motivator and he had concerns over how the breakaway circuit would impact his career.

“A lot of the players I’ve talked to want more transparency. And if you claim you’re representing our best interests, you at least meet with the people involved. 

"Now we’re in this stalemate or whatever you want to call it, but it’s not something that required the prediction of 20 different chess moves."

In an interview with The Times, Hovland said the LIV Golf model and product did not appeal to him enough to justify moving at this stage of his career, though admitted the eye-watering sums on offer were tempting.

The 26-year-old was actively courted by LIV Golf following the Ryder Cup last year and again in April, but having already amassed close to $35 million in career earnings, money was not the driving force behind his thinking.

"Obviously, they’re throwing out a lot of money, but I’ve already made a lot of money. I’m not a very materialistic person. It’s nice to make life easier for yourself, but that’s not what gets me up in the morning," said Hovland.

Instead, the world No. 10 was more concerned with how joining LIV Golf would impact his game and ambition to become the best player possible. As a young star still improving, he had reservations that the limited-field, no-cut events would not adequately test or push his abilities.

"I completely understand because there are a lot of grey areas at the moment but, for me, I did not think their product was appealing enough to go."

“At the end of the day, the question is ‘What’s going to make me a better player?’ And hey, in 20 years, if I’m on the back end of my career, playing LIV Golf wouldn’t be too bad. 

And right now, "It might have been a pretty cool opportunity but, right now, it’s something I think I’d probably look back [on] and regret," Hovland admitted.

While he says he understands why some players have made the move, particularly those nearer the end of their careers, Hovland believes sticking with the traditional tours remains the best formula for his goals at this stage.

However, the Norwegian star also criticized PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan for not taking LIV Golf seriously enough initially and failing to properly address player concerns around the situation in an open and transparent manner.

Hovland's comments provide a fascinating insight into one of the game's leading talents considering but ultimately rejecting one of the most lucrative offers in golf history as LIV Golf's civil war with the establishment tours rumbles on. It shows money is not the be all and end all for every player.

References: https://golfmonthly.com/news/viktor-hovland-reveals-why-he-turned-down-liv-golf-move