Sports Column | Les Winkeler: Saudi sponsored LIV Golf Invitational Series tests players’ rights, morality | Sports

Some of the world’s greatest gamers have committed to engage in on the tour – Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and other individuals.

The Specialist Golfers Affiliation reacted swiftly, banning anyone who performs LIV activities from taking part in PGA tournaments.

On one particular hand, I have to aspect with the gamers – while that listing has some of my least favourite people today on the PGA tour. Gamers are not less than deal to the PGA. They do not get appearance service fees. They can choose and select which tournaments to play in.

Players are basically unbiased contractors, or no cost agents, dependent on how you opt for to look at it.

On the other hand, the Saudis are throwing major cash at the new golf tour. Purses are astronomical. Charl Schwartzel pocketed $4 million for successful the inaugural party. The full purse was $25 million, double the money that will be doled out at the U.S. Open.

The ordinary golfer at very last week’s occasion designed a fifty percent million bucks – far more than the sixth as a result of 10th locations finishers at the U.S. Open up will acquire home. In addition, the new tour is signing gamers to profitable contracts just to play on the tour.

Despite the fact that some of the gamers fully commited to LIV functions really do not will need, or should not have to have, the money, the economical incentives are, seemingly, irresistible, to some.

So, what is the draw back?

The political actuality of Saudi Arabia.

Lest we fail to remember, most of the terrorists that carried out the 9/11 assaults towards the United States where by Saudis. The Saudis were responsible for the kidnapping and subsequent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi governing administration is implicated in civil legal rights violations.

Quite a few, myself incorporated, feel the Saudis are striving to invest in respectability as a result of sports activities. The notion has spawned a new term – sportswashing.

So, the gamers have to request themselves vital issues – “Do I care in which this revenue arrives from?” “Do I care about my general graphic?” “Do I care about the points taking place in Saudi Arabia?”

Obviously, we know how the players participating in the LIV tour sense.

Lots of of the players are nearing the conclusion of their occupations – Mickelson, Westwood, Garcia – their best days are behind them. They’re unlikely to pad their checking accounts with many a lot more tour victories. On the other hand, how will Nike, Titleist, Callaway and other main gamers in the golf earth check out the new tour?

Will endorsement cash dry up completely? Mickelson has previously been dropped by sponsors. Will the LIV contracts offset long term earnings?

But, how about men like DeChambeau and Reed? They’re at the peak of their occupations. Will the limited expression dollars grab be value it?

Base line, there are no heroes in this article.

Certainly, the players must have the autonomy to play when and exactly where they want. The PGA likely overstepped its bounds with the suspensions.

As for the players, they have each individual correct to move absent from the PGA. But, in my impression, there is a moral variable that are unable to be ignored. 

Simply because you have the appropriate to do some thing, does not make it the ideal matter to do.