Pat Perez missed his son’s birth playing on the PGA Tour, which pushed him to join LIV Golf – Yahoo Sports

Pat Perez had a very straightforward, honest answer when asked why he joined the LIV Golf Invitational Series on Tuesday.

After months of controversy and players ducking or avoiding questions about the Saudi Arabian-backed league, it was refreshing.

Perez was among the latest wave of golfers to join the LIV Golf series, and hell make his debut this week outside of Portland at Pumpkin Ridge. Its unclear how much Perez was paid to make the jump from the PGA Tour to the LIV series, but its reportedly around the $10 million mark.

While he said plainly that he didnt have any concerns regarding Saudi Arabias alleged crimes and poor human rights records, he was very honest about why he joined the league in the first place.

Last season, while fighting for a spot in the FedExCup Playoffs on Tour, Perez missed the birth of his son.

August 18, I get a call my wifes going into labor, Perez said, via CBS' Kyle Porter. Im in Jersey. Im getting ready to start the FedEx Playoffs. Im No. 116 on the list, I cant leave. I cant miss it. I cant get back. I cant get [to my wife] and back without spending $150,000 on a private flight. Im not doing that.

So I had to suck on it and I had to miss my sons birth. And, you know, fortunately I made the cut and I moved up my status by playing all right, but it still sucked. I have to tell him one day why I wasnt there.

Perez finished T16 at The Northern Trust last year, which marked his final event of the season. He finished No. 80 in the FedExCup standings that season, which earned him exempt status through the end of this season though, now that hes with LIV Golf, he wont be allowed to compete on Tour.

Perez, 46, has won three times on the PGA Tour, most recently at the CIMB Classic in 2017. He had just three top-10 finishes on Tour so far this season, and most recently finished T26 at the Memorial Tournament earlier this month. Hes currently ranked No. 170 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

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As far as reasons to leave the PGA Tour for a lighter schedule and more money, its hard to blame Perez considering what he went through last fall.

Im a 30-33 week guy. Every year Ive done it, and now I dont have to, Perez said. And I get to be with them. I get to be with my family. At my age, this is an absolute golden opportunity for me Its a no-brainer for a guy my age thats been on the road.

Pat Perez will join the LIV Golf Invitational Series this week in Oregon. (Jonathan Ferrey/LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Perez, along with Brooks Koepka and other first-time LIV members, was asked directly how he can square accepting money from Saudi Arabia after the country's horrific record on human rights.

Perez, and Koepka, didn't care about any of that.

"I don't have any concerns," Perez said. "I'm playing golf ... I understand the topics you're trying to bring up, and they're horrible events, but I'm here to play golf."

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Pat Perez missed his son's birth playing on the PGA Tour, which pushed him to join LIV Golf - Yahoo Sports