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Greg Norman
Photo: GLYN KIRK / AFP
The LIV Golf Invitational Series is scheduled to start on June 9th - an eight-event golf series with lavish prize money.
The start in London is worth 20 million US dollars, with the winner alone receiving four million dollars in prize money.
However, the series of events has come under criticism, not least because the money is being contributed by a Saudi Arabian consortium.
Ex-golf pro and entrepreneur Greg Norman, CEO and founder of the tournament series, found unusual words about the sportswashing allegations against the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Confronted with the human rights violations by the Saudi Arabian government, specifically with the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Norman was almost understanding.
"Everyone makes mistakes," said the 67-year-old.
You have to see how you can "learn from these mistakes and do better in the future."
Khashoggi was killed by a Saudi special force on October 2, 2018, his body was never found.
After initial denials weeks later, the regime in Riyadh admitted that Khashoggi had died in an “unsuccessful attempt to arrest him”.
Norman had already made a similar statement in an interview with the Sky TV channel.
"Every country has its cross to bear," he commented on the deed.
However, he himself does not report to the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but only to the supervisory board of his tournament series.
In addition, a “cultural change from within” can be observed in Saudi Arabia.
PGA Tour wants to stand united against new tournament series
Two-time Major winner Norman is a longtime friend of former US President Donald Trump, whose Trump Organization is also providing a golf course for the new series of events.
In the golf scene, however, the Australian is considered an outsider.
The established PGA Tour recently banned its pros from participating in events of the LIV Golf Invitational Series under threat of severe penalties.
Prominent players such as Phil Mickelson or Martin Kaymer had previously considered the possibility of participating.
Other world-class golfers then expressed their support for the PGA Tour's actions.
"If you're playing here on the PGA Tour, and then you want to play something that might become a rival to the PGA Tour, I say as part of our tour, it's definitely not something our members should be doing because it would benefit the other." Help tournament,” said world number one and Masters winner Scottie Scheffler.
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