Despite Lee Westwood’s claims, no special attention was paid to golfers during the clashes with Saudi Arabia. Indeed, the ease with which Saudis have burst onto the golf scene – both men and women – is reminiscent of the enchanting lives that players lead. What a rude awakening they – and their representatives – would be in for if they were so heavily focused on Premier League clubs.
Westwood is open about participating in the upcoming LIV Golf Series based on the hunt for money. As a cost-of-living crisis impacts the ability of millions to heat their homes or fuel their cars, Westwood’s joy – hardly a beggar – for a $25m golf tournament in Hertfordshire is quite uncomfortable, but not a patch for an extension defense of his actions.
“She [Saudi Arabia] trying to make changes quickly, and that probably worries a lot of people and scares a lot of people,” Westwood said. On March 12 of this year, the Kingdom carried out the execution of 81 people. That feels far more frightening than the rapid pace of modernization that Westwood perceives.
It remains depressing that golfers are so willing to help the Saudis in a sports washing exercise
A spokesman for UPS, a longtime Westwood sponsor, offered little resounding confirmation when asked what the company thought of high-profile athletes gleefully accepting Saudi swag. “We are constantly evaluating our sponsorship and partnership decisions and will continue to monitor this situation,” they said.
With Greg Norman, the public face of Saudi Gulf exploits, filling media duties with handpicked outlets this week, there’s more reason to ponder the absurdity of the whole scheme. Norman announced a $2 billion raise for something that didn’t make commercial sense in the first place. The Australian explained he did not reply to Mohammed bin Salman as if the Crown Prince was directly interested in Robert Garrigus’ start times. Norman is very interested in portraying golfers as independent entrepreneurs. Maybe they are.
It remains depressing that golfers are so willing to help the Saudis in a sports washing exercise. Human rights atrocities cast a shadow over everything the Public Investment Fund writes checks for. As for the competition, however, Norman’s plans for an inaugural tournament to be held at Centurion Club in early June are already being undermined by the line-up (which LIV is oddly reluctant to reveal). Martin Kaymer, now number 195 in the world, has been heralded as the star of the series in some circles.
Centurion was originally named to host an Asian Tour event but was jettisoned when LIV decided it wanted to proceed with its own tournaments that do not have world ranking status. The Asian Tour shuffled to Slaley Hall. Meanwhile, the world’s best players have expressed their commitment to existing tours.
The DP World Tour refuses to comment on its members’ status in relation to Centurion. However, research by the Guardian has revealed that five of the world’s six highest-ranking Englishmen – Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Paul Casey, Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose – will not be performing in their home country.
The PGA Tour has taken its first significant step towards a courtroom fight by rejecting members’ requests to play at Centurion
Which says something about the low attractiveness. The only exception is 49-year-old Richard Bland. Fitzpatrick, Fleetwood, Casey, Hatton and Rose are taking preparations for the following week’s US Open seriously. Neither Westwood nor Ian Poulter – who will also play for Centurion – are in the field for this Brookline major.
Norman can call it a “start-up” tour what he will, but what he’s currently running is second-rate. Playing 54 holes with a shotgun start looks gimmicky. There is no major broadcast deal and currently no hope of attracting public attention. Norman will pin his hopes on Phil Mickelson, but the reality is he has been discredited by statements about Saudi Arabia that have forced him into professional exile.
Then there is the case of Sergio García. The Spaniard caused a stir last week with an outburst from a rules official who indicated he won’t be on the PGA Tour much longer. Of course, should García decide to give up the PGA Tour – which has netted him $54.4 million in on-court earnings – or the DP World Tour, that’s up to him.
However, two LIV events later this year, in Bangkok and Jeddah, will collide with DP World Tour stops in Madrid and Andalucia. Is García, who is revered at home, aware how absurd he would look as a showpony for Saudi Arabia if Spain were hosting these tournaments at the same time?
The PGA Tour has taken its first significant step towards a courtroom fight by rejecting members’ requests to play at Centurion. The DP World Tour will take an identical stance. It remains to be seen what penalties will follow for players.
“We won’t be stopped,” Norman replied. It has already been intriguing which field emerges for LIV’s second appearance in the United States on the first weekend of July. A direct challenge to the PGA Tour exists on American soil. It’s just hard to avoid feeling that it remains weak and contrived for now. – Guardian
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