Harold Varner on negative reaction to joining LIV Golf: 'Who likes to be hated?'

On Tuesday, LIV Golf announced several new additions headlined by the No. 2 golfer in the world, Cameron Smith. 

Along with Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Mac Leishman, Cameron Tringale, Anirban Lahiri and Harold Varner III also jumped to LIV Golf from the PGA Tour. 

On Wednesday, Varner spoke with reporters, sharing his reaction to the negative feedback received since joining the controversial golf league. When asked what the last 24 hours have been like, Varner didn't hold back. 

"It sucked. Who likes to be hated?" Varner said. "It's terrible. I hate being hated. I'd rather not even be known than be hated. So yeah, it was terrible." 

The response to his decision caught Varner off guard. He told reporters he "purposely" read every message, despite warnings from others not to check his social media. 

"Sometimes I just laugh and some of them I kept receipts," Varner said. "I want to know." 

Earlier in the week, Varner released a statement announcing his intentions to join LIV Golf and why he made that decision. 

"The opportunity to join LIV Golf is simply too good of a financial breakthrough for me to pass by," the statement read. "I know what it means to grow up without much. This money is going to ensure that my kid and future Varners will have a solid base to start on -- and a life I could have only dreamt about growing up."