Texan golfer Bryson DeChambeau has spoken out regarding the giant merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabian owned LIV Golf, and calling his remarks controversial would be an understatement.
During an interview this week, DeChambeau was asked whether or not the families of 9/11 victims have the right to be upset or not seeing the American golf league merge with another league backed by the same government which had a role in facilitating the attacks on September 11, 2001, and what he would say to those bothered by this business arrangement.
“I think we’ll never be able to repay the families back for what exactly happened just over 20 years ago and what happened is definitely horrible,” he said to a reporter from CNN. “I think as time has gone on, 20 years has passed, we’re in a place now where it’s time to start trying to work together to make things better together as a whole.
“I don’t know exactly what they’re feeling. I can’t ever know what they feel, but I have a huge amount of respect for their position and what they believe. Nor do I ever want anything like that that to ever occur again.
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“I think as we move forward from that, we have to look toward the pathway to peace and forgiveness, especially if we’re trying to mend the world and make it a better place. I think this is what they’re trying to accomplish, LIV is trying to accomplish, PIG [Saudi Public Investment Fund] is trying to accomplish,” he continued. “We’re all trying to accomplish is a better world for everybody with entertainment for everybody around the world.”
LIV Golf has been mired in controversy from the very beginning, not solely because it seeks to challenge the world’s leading professional golf tour. The involvement of the PIF as its primary backer has sparked intense debate due to prior and post 9/11 allegations of funding terrorism globally.
Terry Strada, chairperson of the 9/11 Families United group, called out the PGA for hypocrisy, primarily since PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan used the group’s resources and stories in order to launch a negative PR campaign against LIV Golf, only to completely change his tune once money got involved and began to overshadow the PGA.
“I am so disappointed and this was a real gut punch to wake up yesterday and read these headlines,” Strada said in an interview with Fox News.
Money talks, and as far as the PGA Tour and the American players for LIV Golf are concerned, that’s all that matters.”
“It’s unfortunate what has happened and something I can’t necessarily speak on. I’m a golfer,” DeChambeau continued. “But what I can say is that what they’re trying to do, what they’re trying to work on is to be better allies because we are allies with them. I’m not going to get into politics, I’m not specialized in that. What I can say is they’re trying to do good for the world and showcase themselves in a light that hasn’t been seen in a while.”
“Nobody’s perfect, but we’re all trying to improve in life.”
DeChambeau is obviously not going to say or do anything to cast the Saudi’s in a remotely critical light, talking about them in his gumshoe vernacular as if they were a rambunctious teen in need of some maturing instead of a nation which commits human right’s atrocities like it’s just a regular day at the office. DeChambeau is estimated to have earned $150 million as a signing bonus alone to leave the PGA for LIV.
“This is the best thing that could ever happen for the game of golf, and I’m extremely proud to be part of that,” DeChambeau stated. “I truly believe in the end, the game of golf wins in this scenario.”
What are your thoughts on this whole situation? Let us know in the comments below and across social media.
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