LIV Golf star Harold Varner III found himself at the center of controversy earlier this week after it emerged that the 36-year-old was asked to leave Bear Slide Golf Club, a public course in Indiana, just two days before the LIV Golf Indianapolis event. While Bear Slide Golf Club’s statement suggested the issue stemmed from the size of Varner III’s group, the golfer shared an official statement on Instagram, hinting that there may be more to the situation than initially suggested. 

“The statement posted by Bear Slide contains several inaccuracies and does not fairly represent what occurred,” Varner’s representatives wrote on his Instagram story. “Harold and his team paid to play. Before teeing off, they asked whether they could play a 3v3 scramble. When the starter declined the request, they respected the decision and played at pace as two separate groups of three.

“The first group would complete the hole, watch the second group play into the green, and then proceed to the next hole. At no point did the six golfers combine or play as a sixsome. There were also no groups immediately ahead of or behind them being delayed. At the end of the fourth hole, the starter spoke with the second group and asked everyone to leave because he believed they were attempting to combine. 

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“Harold’s group was already heading to the next hole, and Harold was never personally approached or asked to leave. Once the message was relayed, the entire group left respectfully and without issue. We are sharing this only to ensure that the facts are represented accurately.”

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Meanwhile, according to Bear Slide Golf Club’s statement, Harold Varner III had a foursome booked at the course and arrived at the club 30 minutes late for the tee time and as a group of six. They also explained that the club was ready to accommodate the extra numbers. However, that would only happen by forming two groups of three. And not one group of six.

They further claimed that the group then asked to play as a six-some at the first tee. However, the starter reiterated that such an arrangement was not permitted. Despite that, the club claims that the group continued to push the issue, asking the starter four more times. At one point, a member of the group allegedly accused the starter of being rude and told him to calm down. 

Another member, however, defended the starter, arguing that he was simply enforcing the club’s rules. The club claims Varner then asked the pro shop three times and was again told it was not allowed, particularly with groups playing behind them. The two threesomes subsequently teed off separately and continued that way through the first three holes. 

However, Bear Slide alleges the group joined together on the fourth hole, despite claiming they were only watching the group ahead. The club said staff then asked the group to return their carts and leave the course, offering full refunds. It also claimed that several groups were waiting on the holes behind them.

Bear Slide added that the group may have expected special treatment because of their status. While the club’s statement came before the LIV Golf finale, Harold Varner III’s came ahead of the tournament’s final round on Sunday. Varner III finished tied for 16th after carding rounds of 2-under 68, 4-under 66 and 3-under 67.

Having said that, it appears Harold Varner III is in a he-said, she-said situation. However, only the people involved in the matter are truly aware of what actually happened.