Golf: The New LIV Tour
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The new controversial Saudi-backed Golf Tour, known as the LIV Invitational Series, teed off on 9 June 2022 at the Centurion Golf Club, St Albans, near London, UK.
World-class golfers from around the world will compete over three days for a prize fund of US$25 million. The Centurion competition is the first of eight events.
This new tournament offers an innovative format, which its organisers claim will ensure a faster pace of play, providing spectators with a “fresh, modern and unmatched golf experience.”
Several well-known players, such as Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, have signed up to take part in the Series, reportedly being paid appearance fees of US$125 million and US$200 million respectively.
Tiger Woods has not been tempted to take part despite having reportedly been offered US$1 billion to do so!
The Tour has been criticised, in several quarters, as a case of ‘sports washing’ to detract from the dreadful human rights’ record of Saudi Arabia.
The PGA Tour has suspended all its members, who are playing in this new LIV Golf Tour, having refused their requests for waivers allowing them to participate!
The organisers of the new Tour have described this action by the PGA Tour as “vindictive” and added that:
“It’s troubling that the Tour, an organisation dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the entity blocking golfers from playing.”
It may be noted that the PGA could find itself being accused of breaching the human rights of its suspended members, for, as the Olympic Charter states, the practice of sport is a human right, golf having been an Olympic sport since 2016!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
