Golf Channel co-host of Golf Today Eamon Lynch has blasted Lee Westwood following his comments as to why he wants to play in the first tournament of the new LIV Golf Invitational Series backed by Saudi millions this June.
Westwood confirmed ahead of the British Masters at The Belfry today that he has requested a release from those above at the DP World Tour and PGA Tour in order to play in the first event of the eight-tournament LIV Golf Invitational Series, which begins at Centurion Club in England in four weeks’ time.
But it’s fair to say Westwood’s comments earlier today have not sat well with many in the golf industry, especially Golfweek columnist Lynch who cannot understand the 49-year-old’s reasoning for wanting to take part in Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed golf circuit.
Westwood told Sky Sports: “I think Saudi Arabia are obviously, they know they’ve got issues, I think lots of countries around the world have got issues and I think they are trying to improve.
“They are trying to do it through sport. A lot of places and countries do. I think they’re doing it a lot quicker than some countries are trying to do it and that maybe worries people or that scares people because people don’t like change do they? They like continuity and things to stay the same.”
He also added: “I’m an independent contractor and I work for myself. It’s my job, and I have to do what’s right for me.”
Lynch was staggered by his choice of words.
“We know what the players are interested in here, it’s money, it’s not really anything more complicated than that,” says Lynch.
“But let’s be clear what the Saudis are interested in here… it’s using golf to normalise the state, to normalise all of their abuses and distract from it.
“And for that, they need two things which is money, of which they have plenty, and willing stooges of which Lee Westwood has just announced himself to be one.
“When he [Westwood] says ‘Formula 1 has taken the money, Premier League soccer has taken the money’, that’s sportswashing in evidence right there. That is the point of sportswashing, so if the next guy they are trying to buy off to kind of pay for his conscience will say ‘well someone else has taken the money so why shouldn’t I?’
“I was really struck by when he [Westwood] said of the Saudi Arabian regime ‘they know they have issues and they are trying to improve’.
“Well perhaps one way Lee Westwood can help his bodies improve is tell them not to execute 81 people in one day, stop firing missiles at civilians in Yemen.
“But Lee Westwood wants to take a pay cheque to play a golf tournament and then say he is somehow contributing to the improvement of the lives of people in Saudi Arabia, which it’s not.
“He’s right, every other country has issues too, but they’re not all trying to use golf to distract from those issues.”
Richard Bland also confirmed in his press conference at the British Masters today that he too intends to tee up at Centurion Club for the first LIV Golf Invitational Series tournament this summer.
Should Westwood compete in the LIV Golf Invitational Series then it is understood that it will seriously call into question whether or not he will be permitted to ever become the European Ryder Cup captain in the future. That is not yet official but talks are ongoing right now.
What do you make of players wanting to compete in the LIV Golf Invitational Series backed by Saudi millions? Do you see a major problem with it or are you excited to see how the new series plays out this year? Share your thoughts and comments below…
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com
Lynch seems to forget that everywhere golf is played, every country it is played upon, has problems. Including the United States. he could bring up our love of going to war for anyone. He could point out that we had a civil war to free slaves, still treat blacks as minorities and still pay women not as much as men. Or South Africa, which ended apartheid not too many years ago. Or Europe, which has a history of violence. No place is safe like he wants you to believe. Westwood is, indeed, an independent contractor. What would happen if Lynch lost his job at his work and had to go at it alone and the LIV offered three times as much money to him to tell their story? Would he do it?
Your “what about-isms” (and Westwood’s) are ridiculous, as there are no comparisons to what the Saudis do CURRENTLY. They are arguably the most prolific sponsor of international Islamic terrorism, supporting the Taliban and Isis. They have committed war crimes in Yemen, killing over 15,000 civilians. They kill and dismember anyone who publicly disagrees with them, including journalists, their own politicians and their own military. Women in Saudi Arabia are the property of their husbands (who own multiple wives) and are publicly stoned to death if they go out without their husbands. Fifteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers were Saudis. I could go on. I hope that Eamon and Brandel continue to point out that LIV is run by this “murderous regime.” And the answer to your final question is: Nobody with any morals, ethics, or principles would accept money from this murderous regime.
Don – Your “what about-isms” and false equivalents (as well as Westwood’s) are ridiculous, as there are no comparisons to what the Saudis do CURRENTLY and consistently. They are arguably the most prolific state sponsors of international Islamic terrorism, supporting the Taliban, Isis, and al-Quaeda. They have committed war crimes in Yemen, killing over 15,000 civilians (and counting). They murder and dismember anyone who publicly disagrees with them, including journalists, their own politicians and family members, and their own military. Women in Saudi Arabia are the property of their husbands (who own multiple wives) and are publicly stoned to death if they go out without their husbands. Fifteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers were state-sponsored Saudis. I could go on. I hope that Eamon and Brandel Chamblee continue to point out that LIV is run by this “murderous regime.” And the answer to your final question is: Nobody with any morals, ethics, or principals would accept money from this murderous regime.
Sooo … the Saudi’s are kind of like the Clinton family. No one knows where the bodies are buried?
Anyone who signs up for the Saudi tour, should be banned from playing in any event, whether it be the PGA tour, Ryder cup, President’s cup, etc., etc.. Totally agree it’s all about the money they can make, whereas what they can’t make because their not good enough.
Doesn’t that describe every job? In it for the money? I don’t go to work every day to see my co-workers. It’s nice, but I’m there for a paycheck so I can pay my bills, have a car, feed my family, etc.
Agreed, they are not the best country out there. But, are you, in buying gas for your car, also sponsoring that regime? Where do you get your gas? Chances are it came from Saudi Arabia. So, if you don’t want to support them, grab that bike out of the garage and start peddling. I only affects you when it affects you. Other than that, you feel free to judge other people on how they make a living. I didn’t say the Saudi golf thing is particularly good thing. But maybe it is one step in the right direction by allowing players to come in there, see what is going on and help them change their ways. We did it with South Africa and Apartheid. We did it to Russia and East Germany, why not Saudi Arabia? Not accepting anything change wise is allowing them to continue in the direction they are in now. Can’t hurt to bring in players from other countries who are regarded and admired. Maybe, slowly, change will come. Won’t know unless you try.
All Pro Golfers ARE Independent contractors and should be able to decide when and where the want to tee it up! Why is it that someone else is judging professionals wanting to go play in what event or league they see fit? The money is a big part of the game for Professionals, if not the one and only part to provide for their families and themselves. Every Pro should be able to choose and move on with it.