Rick Shiels prepared for backlash by writing negative comments before joining LIV

Before he signed for the Saudi-backed Tour, Shiels admitted that he wrote negative comments on paper, predicting what fans might write.

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Rick Shiels is probably the most famous golf influencer in the world along with Paige Spiranac, having as many as 2.9 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Shiels caused an avalanche of reactions by signing a contract with LIV Golf, becoming an ambassador of the Saudi project and content creator for LIV Golf.

Golf Monthly reporter Joe Ferguson spoke to Shiels to find out how the public's reaction has affected him, and also to find out what it's like to find his way in a new environment.

Shiels admitted that he was excited and delighted with his adventure so far, but also little surprised that he found himself in this role.

"It's been a wild adventure if I'm honest with you," Shiels said, as quoted by Golf Monthly.

"It's been really really fun. The time I've had with the players has been incredible. When I was flicking through my phone the other day, the players that I've already filmed with, it's crazy like Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann, Sergio Garcia, the list is astonishing already and we're only three months in and it's going to continue to get better."

Shiels admitted that he was aware that his joining LIV Golf would cause negative reactions, stressing that he mentally prepared himself before such a decision was confirmed.

Before he signed for the Saudi-backed Tour, Shiels admitted that he wrote negative comments on paper, predicting what fans might write. The well-known influencer said that LIV Golfer's previous experiences and public reactions were an important lesson for him, so he knew what to expect.

Deleting social media
Shiels has deleted social media from his phone, and admits that he also works with psychologists. While it's easy to talk about ignoring negative comments, it's clearly difficult to remain deaf to various criticisms, but working with experts can greatly help in dealing with such things.

"I have a psychologist so I've been working with one for a while," he said.

"He used to work with Tommy Fleetwood, he’s called Tom Young and he's actually a sports psychologist but I've kind of been using him not as a sports psychologist really, almost like a life coach because again I don't think we're programmed for this negativity so he's definitely helped me."

The famous YouTuber stresses that he stopped drinking for eight months, saying that he put a huge emphasis on exercise, working hard on his mental health. Rick reveals that he feels happier than ever, enjoying his work, while recording new content.