Golf critics and told them those rebels copping all the flak are more than just money grabbers.Gooch fired a second round 69 at The Open in St Andrews to put himself in contention to win the biggest prize in golf.
Then he turned on those dishing out the stick, insisting all the players now part of the Saudi-backed LIV Series have been banded together by the "flak".Fellow LIV stars Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia are also in contention.
Gooch has been suspended by the PGA Tour for joining LIV Golf - while the R&A this week threatened to make it more difficult for LIV players to qualify for the Open.
But Gooch said: "I think there's some strong players, no doubt. The credentials of everyone speaks for themselves. It's obviously cool for me to see other guys that are out there playing well.
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