There has been a critical error on this website. Is he interested? Phil Mickelson, who is believed to have been offered $US100 million (about $140m) to join the prospective Saudi-backed Super Golf League, said: Pretty much every player in the top 100 has been contacted at some point. They include Lee Westwood, who admitted that he has signed a nondisclosure agreement (NDA), suggesting that he also has an offer to consider. Since its inception in 2019, the Saudi International has been widely criticized as part of the governments effort to sportswash its human rights abuses. Just a few years ago, a fellow caddie was shaken down by a Mexican police officer outside a tour stop. Next week's event will offer $15m in appearance fees. Speaking ahead of the tournament and about the events on the other side of the world, Cantlay said that the chance to pick up a huge appearance fee for playing in the Saudi International was "very tempting" but he ultimately wasn't swayed. There's a lot of grey areas and I've certainly thought about it and wrestled with it. Any other justification of why theyre playing is a facade. Others, notably world No. not a golf hotbed, the Middle . However, even McIlroy has admitted that players are independent contractors and should have the freedom to play where they want. Appearance fees for the recent Saudi International, above, totalled around $15m. Golf Podcast 476: These Three Guys are Changing the Long Drive Game, Golf Podcast 475: Scottie Schefflers Rise to Success: His Trainer Reveals the Secret. The Washington Post, which employed Khashoggi as a columnist, said that the golfers were taking thinly laundered money from a man who orders his dissenters murdered. You dont know why? Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia should be assessed differently in specific relation to golf because of the rising scale of the attachment. The journalist was dismembered, with investigative focus on a large oven where his remains were most likely disposed of. A closing 64 included a 14-foot eagle of his own on the 18th to seemingly lock up the title before Varner, still searching for a PGA Tour win, pulled off his heroics. Michael Fasano is the co-founder of Golficity, LLC, co-host of The Golf Podcast and is extremely obsessed with golf. Golfweek has obtained a current list of players who have already applied for a release to compete in Saudi Arabia in February. Tiger sees growth in golf in Middle East (0:43) Tiger Woods recognizes the controversy surrounding golfers playing in the Saudi International tournament, but points out how the growth of the game . Its not a perfect place out there, or even here, for that matter. In most cases its more than what the winner earns, which makes me think,how cool would it be to both appear and win? First lets talk about Bubba Watson since this story istrending in the news lately. The uncomfortable questions for golf and its role in Saudi sports plans He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and womens golf. But I can promise you right now that the furthest thing from my mind and furthest thing from anyones question really was when I won this golf tournament, I made the most money Ive ever made in one lump, $1.67 million, and thats not the part that I remember. As many know, Mcilroy has already missed two events which cost him a 3 million deduction from his PIP earnings. Tiger Woods has reportedly turned down seven-figure appearance fees to play in the . Patrick Cantlay has opted to play in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am ahead of the Saudi International, despite the astronomical amounts of money on offer. Saudi Golf League Announcement Coming the Week of THE PLAYERS, WATCH: Is This A Double Or Triple Bogey? I hear you: Do players need the money? He was also undefeated for Team USA as they destroyed Europe in the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. Winkle says Johnson was torn about the schedule conflict in February but has prioritized defending his title in the Middle East. At the end of the day, the players have to decide if health or PIP money is more important to them or if necessary rest and or recovery is needed from week to week. Westwood, meanwhile, accused the PGA and DP World Tours of hypocrisy. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Here's your answer. My own views on the Saudi thing remain unchanged. Huge appearance fees have helped attract more than 20 of the world's top players . The Northern Irishman, who has always said he would not sign up to any proposed Saudi Super League, says players should not be punished for accepting life-changing amounts of money. Boxing and WWEs relationship with Saudi Arabia means golf isnt regarded as an isolated case. Come on, brother. It doesnt mean I am going to stop playing the PGA Tour and European Tour, because I love playing them. PGA Tour players request permission to play controversial Saudi event I dont know how they have to view this internally, but Dustin has gone over three years and gone 1st, 2nd, 1st and put golf on the map in a new part of the world. The 2022 Saudi International will be conducted under the auspices of the Asian Tour, in which the Saudis made a $100 million investment after failing to garner support for their Super League ambitions in Europe. No sum is worth that anxiety. There are 3 more Tour events and 4 more majors until the FedEx Cup Playoffs commence. Im happy to be here., Is he interested? Sergio Garcia, who will be playing in Saudi Arabia next week, agrees that the Tours should not try to scare players off. But I'm really glad that I'm here this week and I love Pebble Beach and so that definitely factored into my decision.". One matter not being discussed by many is Saudis appalling human rights record. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has made clear that any member who joins the rival tour will face a lifetime ban. The PGA TOUR and LPGA TOUR refuse to pay players to come here to play, so thats why players here make the trip outside of the U.S. At the end of the day, if someone told you to go play in a golf tournament on the other side of the globe, travel and arrangements are taken care of, you could win a trophy and money, and oh, well pay you $1.5 million to goyou wouldnt go? Those are appearances fees based on the player and his drawing power. It is now the second time in recent memory that Koepka has been the subject of rules conversations, as the four-time Major winner also was the subject of some controversy at the Masters when Elliott appeared to indicate which club he used to Gary Woodland on the Par 5, 15th. There will be more battles for player releases, more work for lawyers and a tipping point if enough players sign up. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Notably, this is one of the highest prize money purses on the Asian Tour. All rights reserved. The Super Golf League has been courting golfs biggest stars with a promise of huge pay daysmore than $30 million, in some cases. Mickelson went scorched-earth on the PGA Tour as he aired his grievances to Golf Digest in an exclusive interview in early February. Amnesty lambasts 'irony' of Ladies European Tour events in Saudi Arabia. Their competitive days are not over, but they are certainly coming to an end and it's one last chance to set their family up and kids. This was something I saw firsthand last August at the BMW Championship with Joachim Niemann on Sunday, who hit his tee shot behind one of the large-but-temporary Rolex scoreboards that surround the 18th green. I think any business needs competition for things to progress and move on. But they could be agitated anytime we leave the country. The 2021 Fed-Ex Cup champion said, I think it's a complicated thing and I don't think there's an easy answer. Should they sufficiently care, of course. The World Golf Hall of Famer who has won 44 PGA Tour titles is skipping the Phoenix event for the first time in 30 years to take appearance fee money from the Saudi Arabia government-backed . What hes said: I dont know where things are headed, but I know I will be criticized Thats not my concern. All rights reserved. Is he interested? Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. I don't want to be told what to do; I don't want to be told where to show up, when to show up. The Saudis have no apparent intention of backing away. Bluntly, the LETs players appear useful and willing pawns in a game. Theres a reason Roses Im a golfer, not a politician line became a refrain. European players granted permission to compete in Saudi International lured by appearance fees to make this the . While many players controversially received lucrative appearance fees to compete in the Asian Tour event, the actually prize money payout for the tournament was $5 million, with Varner earning a first-place prize of $1 million. Some ABSOLUTELY arent, Who's playing in the Presidents Cup? Call it his annual bonus. 2 Dustin Johnsonare seeking permission to compete at the Saudi International tournament, Golfweek has learned. Derek Jeter Comes Clean, According to Players Poll: Dont Make Ernie Angry. Certain places have a fair amount of appearance money and it can in turn go to the players head.. The purse for the 22 Saudi International is $5 million, up from $3.5 million in 2021. Morikawa made comments in early 2022 pertaining to growing the game, a popular talking point for the Saudi League, and it seemed as though he could have some interest in the breakaway league. If you go back and watch on the Holes 15 and 16 feed, it looks like Koepkas caddie says 5 to Woodlands caddie after Brooks 2nd shot. James joined Golf Monthly having previously written for other digital outlets. collect exorbitant appearance fees the rest of us can shake heads at the . Greg Norman appears to be the face of the organization, LIV Golf Investments, behind the would-be league, and the group has been pouring cash into the Asian Tour as part their push on to the global golf stage. The rule gives relief to a player who has: Elliot confirmed to commentators that Koepka was receiving line of sight relief, as the TIO directly obstructed his sight of the green and hole. Golf news 2022 | Phil Mickelson and top players offered - codesports Eight PGA Tour players ask for permission to play Saudi International Its a complex issue for the Tour, Winkle acknowledged. PGA stars taking the up-front money - Lake County Record-Bee Easier said than done. 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