LIV GOLF MIAMI

April 3, 2025

Bubba Watson

Cam Smith

Rick Shiels

Fat Perez

Trump National Doral

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome, everybody. My name is Jason Zone Fisher. I am the host and emcee, the hype man for LIV Golf. You've seen me counting down and getting everybody excited, and I'm excited for a great week back here at the Blue Monster, our fourth consecutive year in Miami.

LIV Golf is always innovating and evolving, and we are bringing the fun with a very first-ever experience: The Duels that will be taking place here on the Blue Monster, the same course that the pros are playing. It's going to be airing Saturday night, April 5, at 8:00 eastern on Grant Horvat's YouTube channel. It is a fan-first event for the next-generation golf fan.

LIV is always trying to grow the game of golf, and the incredible creators that we have brought in, they are doing the same thing, really growing the game, bringing in new fans to the game of golf. What better way than combining the pros with some incredible creators who are not only great personalities but great golfers, as well. Worlds are colliding here where the pros and creators are playing together for the first time ever.

On stage we have right now, we've got two-time Masters champion, a fan favorite, the captain of RangeGoats GC, Bubba Watson. To my left here we've got a YouTuber with millions of followers. In fact, he's the most followed golf creator in the world. He's partnering with LIV Golf this season playing at all of our courses, the one and only Rick Shiels. Rick, thank you for being here today.

We've got the 2022 Open Champion, the 2022 PLAYERS champion. He's won three times on LIV thus far, the captain of Ripper GC, Cam Smith.

Last but not least, a popular golf creator and member of Bob Does Sports with a smooth swing, sharp humor and a legendary flow. That's a lot of mullet on that end of the stage weighing us down. It is Fat Perez.

Welcome, gentlemen.

Now, we've got some of our great competitors here, but I just want to let everyone know who will be taking part in the Duels.

We have Rick Shiels, you'll be teaming with the captain of Torque GC, Joaquín Niemann, who's been on fire, winning two of our first four LIV Golf events so far this season.

Bubba, you will be playing with Luke Kwon, an incredible creator, as well.

Sergio Garcia, the captain of Fireballs GC, will be paired with George Bryan.

Phil Mickelson, the legendary captain of HyFlyers GC, will be playing with Grant Horvat.

Dustin Johnson, the captain of 4Aces GC, is with Wesley Bryan.

And last but not least, Cam Smith and Fat Perez.

Looking forward to all of this beginning.

Gentlemen, this is a pretty unique thing that LIV Golf is doing, the Duels. There's lots of tournaments out there, lots of pro-ams, creators are exploding. What makes this event, the Duels, so unique?

RICK SHIELS: I think what makes it so unique is the combination between creators and incredible players. This has never been done before. Creators, we read all about entertainment, making sure it's fun and engaging. We're not always the greatest golfers, and then when you throw in the mix of incredible talent, I think the chemistry is going to be electric. I think the scoring is going to be out of this world. I'm really excited about it. It's a nine-hole scramble, so thank God because --

BUBBA WATSON: Have you seen the weather out there?

RICK SHIELS: It's blowing a hoolie.

BUBBA WATSON: I was going to say, scoring which way, good or bad?

RICK SHIELS: Well, we'll find out. But obviously having Joaco on my team, I'm pretty happy which that. He can carry me for nine holes hopefully.

THE MODERATOR: Bubba, you've played in a million big-time tournaments, major championships, LIV events, pro-ams, but the Duels, this is something unique and different. What are you most looking forward to?

BUBBA WATSON: I'm looking for the fun atmosphere. When you combine the two, athletes and creators, entertainers -- that's what we are, as well, but combine that with some good golf, some bad golf and some hilarious comments, I mean, it's got to be pretty good for TV or YouTube.

It should be fun out there. We'll all enjoy it, and the golf course is playing tough right now, especially on that back nine. The par-5, 18, is going to be nice.

THE MODERATOR: Cam and Fat, you guys are playing together, paired up. You've got the best hair in the creator game and LIV Golf here. In addition to that, what do you think your team chemistry, what's going to put you two over the top?

FAT PEREZ: Yeah, I mean, the hair, first of all. Right off the bat, it's like looking in a mirror, slimming mirror for me probably, the other direction for him. But yeah, it's going to be a good time. I'm looking forward to it, hiding behind some great golf. Hopefully get some approach shots close for him.

I think he's a great putter. I think he's the greatest putter in the Duels, which may be the coolest thing you've ever heard, and then I'd like to think I may be the best putter from the creator side of things.

Scramble format, it's going to be interesting. It's more in our wheelhouse as creators, and we've just got to make some birdies.

THE MODERATOR: Cam, how are you feeling about it? Are you confident going in? Where are you going to carry the team and where is Fat going to pick up the slack?

CAM SMITH: I've heard from everyone about how good these creators are, so I'm looking forward to that. Best putter -- creator/putter, he's told me that personally, so all I've got to do is hit him close and I think we're in for some birdies.

THE MODERATOR: These golf creators are obviously big personalities. You're excellent on camera, but you're serious golfers, too. You can play out there. How much do you want to prove to everyone out there that it's not just about views and clicks but it's also about making birdies and good shots, that you can golf?

RICK SHIELS: I'm just thinking about that opening tee shot. I'm just thinking that that is one of the most daunting opening tee shots that we're about to play. But yeah, really excited about it.

Listen, again, we make YouTube videos. We sometimes hit incredible golf shots. There's been so many hole-in-ones in the YouTube world, which is super exciting, and I know we are going to get some incredible golf shots today, some incredible moments, and also some horrendous golf shots but that's kind of what does make it entertaining. It makes it relatable, as well.

THE MODERATOR: Fat Perez you've played in a lot of big tournaments before, and you've had some high stakes at times, but what's it like being paired up with one of the best golfers in the world in Cam Smith?

FAT PEREZ: I mean, I'd say it's pretty relaxing, knowing that I don't have to hit all the golf shots, try to hit as many good ones as I can, but having the safety net of a pro player, a major champion behind me, I should be out there swinging pretty easy. To me, I wish I could go into every college tournament and state amateur tournament I've ever played in with that kind of safety net.

THE MODERATOR: Cam and Bubba, how important are things like this and LIV Golf always trying to grow the game of golf worldwide and really recognizing that these content creators, they have in some cases more views and more followers than a lot of even pro golfers that are out there. Pairing up with them to grow the game of golf, how important is that to LIV's mission and both of yours, as well?

CAM SMITH: Yeah, I think we have a similar perspective on the game of golf and growing the game of golf. For me, it's about getting clubs in kids' hands, and I'm sure it's the same for you guys, making the game of golf as best as it can be. It's just cool to see another side of that.

Pairing up today, I think we'll join forces in years to come and make this as big as we can.

THE MODERATOR: Bubba, anything you want to add?

BUBBA WATSON: I love that, but I think golf is in a beautiful spot right now. This is the most that golf has ever been talked about from the creator side, from the tour side, from the league side, so golf is growing at a good pace. It's getting younger, and we're trying to be the best out there to get that crowd coming in.

I know my kids are into it now because they've seen all these videos. They've seen good and bad. So they love LIV and they love the colors and the team aspect. So my kids alone are into it now because of team and cards and different things like that. So yeah.

THE MODERATOR: I'm really excited because the superpower of golf to me is you can take great creators and golfers, pair them up with professional golfers and have a real competition. You can't really do that in other sports. You can't go play one-on-one or three-on-three with LeBron James or go play -- Bubba could. Bubba is out there. Bubba did all right in the NBA All-Star Celebrity game in the past. But that is one thing that is special about the game of golf is that it really can even the playing field and showcase your talents alongside the best players in the world.

I'm looking forward to the Duels, again, airing Saturday night at 8:00 eastern on Grant Horvat's YouTube channel. Let's open it up to some questions from the media that are here.

Q. Rick, any adjustments to the bag to tackle this? It's a big ballpark. Obviously you're a ball striker. What are we doing to the bag to prep?

FAT PEREZ: I don't think there's anything I can do to my bag to adjust for that. Last week or so I tried to adjust my body a little bit more, tried to get some more reps in, get a little stronger, get a little faster, but I'm pretty much tuned out as far as equipment goes.

If there's anything that can help me with this, I would have gotten it in the bag weeks ago.

Q. Cam, obviously a really lighthearted way to enter a tournament tomorrow and the week before a major championship next week. How much does the way that LIV leads into the tournament, the pre-tournament activities like this, how much does that help lighten the mind before a major?

CAM SMITH: Yeah, it's nice. It's nice having the boys around, the team around. I'd like to think we're the most lighthearted team out there. We like to have a laugh and play practice rounds together, have a bit of fun.

It is nice to get into that mindset the week before a major, kind of take it easy. At the same time, we're playing one of the hardest golf courses I think in the world. You can't be too far off your game around here, otherwise you're going to have a bad week and kind of some bad thoughts heading into next week.

Still need to be there. Still need to hit every shot perfect out here. Yeah, hopefully we can do that this week and get some confidence heading into next week.

Q. How is your game feeling this year? Where are the results in terms of your expectations? Like you just mentioned, how does Doral compare as a test to Augusta National next week?

CAM SMITH: Yeah, the game feels good. I feel like I've played a lot better than my results. Did a lot of technique work over the off-season in Australia. The swing feels great. I just haven't quite -- everything kind of hasn't synced together so far this year, so hopefully this is one of those weeks. This week you really have to dial in on targets and hit the right shots.

For a place like next week, it's kind of exactly the same, but yeah, it's a good test heading into an even bigger test next week.

Q. Guys, six obviously really great teams. Who do you consider the favorite to win this?

RICK SHIELS: I'll go with us. I've got the hottest property in golf at the moment on my team. But it's fantastic; 13 years ago when I started making YouTube videos, to think that we'd be teeing off today with five major champions and Joaco Niemann, as well, a future major champion, it's unbelievable. The personalities that are available, as well, and the way YouTube golf has grown so massively, there's some incredible talent. We have Wesley Bryan, George Bryan, Luke Kwon at the back, unbelievable players. Grant and Phil, their chemistry together is incredible. We've seen that on videos together. These two here at the end, obviously, Fat Perez and Cam, have just been -- the chemistry of these two all week has been electrifying.

I think it's going to be difficult, as Bubba said. It's really windy out there. Maybe I was thinking a bit too optimistically about the scoring level, but I think every team genuinely has got a chance, and I think it's going to be really close until the end, and I'm probably expecting a playoff, as well.

Q. This is for Rick and FP. Was there a time where you felt nervous playing with the pros, and have you gotten more comfortable playing with these legendary players now?

RICK SHIELS: No, I have not particularly felt more comfortable. It's very daunting.

I filmed with Bubba this week, and we actually started on the 10th hole and we had a really fun game; it was a five-man scramble. Bubba went, go on, you tee off first. I could hardly put the tee in the ground because you're surrounded by just incredible talent. I've grown up watching these guys and just thinking they're superheroes the way they play golf.

I don't think it ever quite makes you feel at ease, but once you get that first hole out of the way, it kind of relaxes you a little bit. But it's a real honor to play with these guys, honestly. It's incredible that we get the opportunity to do so.

FAT PEREZ: Yeah, I would echo all of that for sure. I think we've been very lucky to have some incredible guests on our YouTube channel, and I think we kind of bring them into our world with food challenges and drinking challenges, whatever it may be. We kind of flipped the script I think a little bit on our comfort level versus their discomfort maybe at some turns. Yeah, you get to know these guys, they're great players but they're people that want to have a good time. You go out on the golf course to have fun, no matter where that is, what the circumstances are. As long as you keep that mindset, it's just kind of a round with the boys.

Q. Cam, do you recall the moment when you realized that your partner was not Pat Perez but indeed Fat Perez?

CAM SMITH: Yeah. I mean, I found out a couple of weeks ago. We haven't really spoke much. We just met each other yesterday. But the chemistry is there. We did some fishing yesterday --

FAT PEREZ: Fished off 1 green. That was nice. You got some bites.

CAM SMITH: Yeah, got some bites. It was fun. I'm looking forward to getting out there and knowing him a bit more. He seems like a great lad.

Q. Have you argued about who has the better mullet?

CAM SMITH: I mean, that's pretty dirty, that thing.

FAT PEREZ: Both win.

THE MODERATOR: In addition to five major champions, Joaquín Niemann, who's our individual leader at LIV this season, some of the best golf creators participating in the Duels, we also have some incredible creators who will be commentating, as well. We've got Mason, Joey and Bob of Bob Does Sports; Andrew Santino, an incredible comedian who's launching a podcast with LIV Golf. Gentlemen, do you have any questions for our panel here?

Q. Mr. Fat, are you worried that there is no snack shack out there? Can you make it all nine?

FAT PEREZ: I know where every concession stand is on this property, and I know that none of them are open today, and I have planned accordingly. My golf bag is heavier today than it normally would be with various items. So I will be okay, thank you.

Q. Cam and FP, when y'all win, how many shoeys will you be doing? And can I join for one of those?

CAM SMITH: Yeah, if we win. It's a Ripper tradition, so we have to do it. But we have to win first.

FAT PEREZ: I'll do one, win or lose. A shoey per birdie?

CAM SMITH: That would be good.

FAT PEREZ: I'm in on that.

Q. Bubba, if you were to go on to win this tournament, where does that rank in your overall achievements with the golf world? Is that like top 5 for you?

BUBBA WATSON: It's definitely going to be top 5. It depends how good the trophy looks. I judge it off of trophies, so if the trophy looks good or is worth a lot, then I'd definitely put that up there.

Is there a trophy? That will determine how I practice.

THE MODERATOR: You're going to want to win this one. It's the nicest trophy that you're going to put in front of your Masters trophy.

Q. For Fat, a lot of talk around you pounding cocktails in the hotel lobby, and I wanted to know, how much is that gathering course knowledge from the locals, and how much is that just having cocktails?

FAT PEREZ: I thought that was a safe space. Look, I'm going to talk to as many people as possible. The more drinks, the more talking. Some listening. Yeah, some breaks on 10. I asked a little bit where the line is on 11. A lot of just double Jack and Coke orders, though.

Q. Rick, will you be British the whole time?

RICK SHIELS: We got to play nine holes yesterday, and your British accent is better than mine.

Q. Bubba, do you want to hang out after this is over?

BUBBA WATSON: After this event? No, not at all.

Q. Rick, I want to talk about your nerves coming into the Duels today compared to the Bob Does Sports nine-Guinness nine-hole beer challenge.

RICK SHIELS: Yeah, we did a great video where we drank nine Guinnesses in nine holes, and ever since that I've actually been teetotal. It really affected me a lot.

But no, I feel like I could comfortably take nine Guinnesses, not a challenge at all. Nine holes here at Doral is going to be a little bit more of a test. But I'm super excited.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, gentlemen. We're really excited for the Duels which will be airing Saturday night, 8:00 eastern on Grant Horvat's YouTube channel. LIV Golf continuing to innovate and grow the game of golf, pairing up with some of the best creators in the game.