Golf star, who earned 9-figure deal to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf, says 9/11 families should forgive Saudi Arabia



Golf star Bryson DeChambeau suggested this week that the families of 9/11 victims should forgive Saudi Arabia.

What is the background?

After the PGA Tour and LIV Golf announced a merger, an organization representing the families of 9/11 victims — 9/11 Families United — blasted the PGA and tour commissioner Jay Monahan.

"[T]he PGA and Monahan appear to have become just more paid Saudi shills, taking billions of dollars to cleanse the Saudi reputation so that Americans and the world will forget how the Kingdom spent their billions of dollars before 9/11 to fund terrorism, spread their vitriolic hatred of Americans, and finance al Qaeda and the murder of our loved ones," said organization chairwoman Terry Strada.

"PGA Tour leaders should be ashamed of their hypocrisy and greed," she added. "Our entire 9/11 community has been betrayed by Commissioner Monahan and the PGA as it appears their concern for our loved ones was merely window-dressing in their quest for money — it was never to honor the great game of golf."

The merger is controversial for several reasons, politically and otherwise.

But the 9/11 families are upset because LIV Golf is backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. The fund is controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

What did DeChambeau say?

Speaking on CNN, DeChambeau expressed sympathy for the 9/11 families — but suggested now is the time for them to forgive.
"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. "And I think as time has gone on, 20 years has passed, and 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 have deep sympathy. I don't know exactly what they are feeling. I can't ever know what they feel," he continued.
"I think as we move forward from that, we've got to look toward the pathway to peace, especially in forgiveness, especially if we're trying to mend the world and make it a better place," he went on to say. "I think this is what they're trying to accomplish, LIV is trying to accomplish, the [Saudi Public Investment Fund] is trying to accomplish. We're all trying to accomplish is a better world for everybody."
\u201cBryson DeChambeau, an early recruit to the Saudi-backed LIV tour, on the PGA merger shocker and criticism from the families of 9/11 victims:\u201d
— Kaitlan Collins (@Kaitlan Collins) 1686105182
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins pushed back, noting Saudi Arabia's history of human rights abuses and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But DeChambeau defended Saudi Arabia.
"[W]hat 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," he said.

"Look, I'm not going to get into politics of it. I'm not specialized in that," he added. "But what I can say is they are trying to do good for the world and showcase themselves in a light that hasn't been seen in a while. And nobody's perfect. But we're all trying to improve in life."
DeChambeau reportedly received more than $125 million to join LIV Golf last year.
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Fox News reporter exposes the White House's dishonesty when confronted about PGA-LIV Golf merger



Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich proved Wednesday how the White House's response to the PGA-LIV Golf merger is wholly inconsistent with previous stances.

What is the WH saying?

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre fielded questions about the merger from four different reporters on Wednesday. Each time, she refused to address the merger or provide Biden's response to it.

"We've been very clear, when it comes to mergers, when it comes to a private entity, we do not comment," she said.

Later in the briefing, Heinrich pressed Jean-Pierre on her assertion. First, Heinrich pointed to a Wall Street Journal article that suggested the merger is about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "thumbing his nose" at Biden.

"Doesn’t that risk making the president look weak if there’s no comment?" Heinrich asked.

Jean-Pierre denied that Biden looks weak by refusing to comment publicly about the merger, arguing the White House is simply being consistent in not commenting on "a private merger — a company's merger, a private entity." She then abruptly moved on and ignored Heinrich's follow-up questions when the reporter continued to press the issue.

06/07/23: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre www.youtube.com

What did Heinrich later explain?

Responding to the exchange on "Special Report," Heinrich explained how Jean-Pierre's position is not consistent.

In fact, the White House is happy to comment on developments in private business when it suits its political motives. But in this instance, it appears the White House is refusing to broach the merger because of larger political implications involving Saudi Arabia.

"It's difficult to understand the administration's justification because they have commented on private entity, big business moves before, like with Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter and also JPMorgan's purchase of First Republic Bank," Heinrich explained.

Just last month, in fact, Jean-Pierre commented on and defended the JPMorgan Chase's acquisition of First Republic Bank. Meanwhile, the White House routinely answered questions about Musk's acquisition of Twitter and the implications thereof.

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Tiger Woods turned down offer of $700-$800 million to join controversial LIV Golf



LIV Golf, the professional golf tour that has stirred controversy due to its ties with the Saudi Arabian government and efforts to lure talent away from the PGA Tour, lost out on the biggest fish in the sport.

In an appearance on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman confirmed that 46-year-old Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, turned down an offer between $700 million and $800 million to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

"Look, Tiger is a needle mover, right? So, of course you're got to look at the best of the best,” Norman told Tucker Carlson. When Carlson asked Norman about the $700-$800 million figure that had been rumored, Norman responded, “They had originally approached Tiger before I became CEO. That number is somewhere in that neighborhood."

Norman called the PGA Tour a "monopoly" during his interview with Carlson and said the PGA created obstacles that caused LIV Golf to alter its plans for its launch.

Norman also said it "blows my mind" that corporate sponsors have dropped golfers for joining LIV because of its Saudi ties, despite having business ties themselves with Saudi Arabia. "The PGA Tour, I think, has about 27 sponsors who do 40-plus billion dollars’ worth of annual business on an annual basis in Saudi Arabia," he claimed.

LIV has been handing out enormous sums of money to attract top PGA stars to its events. According to the Associated Press, various reports have said Phil Mickelson received a $200 million signing bonus, while Dustin Johnson received $150 million.

As LIV’s rivalry with the PGA Tour rages on, Woods has remained an outspoken supporter of the latter. "I’ve been playing out here for a couple of decades, and I think there’s a legacy to it. I still think the PGA Tour has so much to offer, so much opportunity,” Woods said in May. He also stated that players who took money from LIV Golf had “turned their back” on the PGA Tour that made them famous.

Woods should be able to survive without the LIV deal. Forbes estimates that he has earned $1.7 billion on and off the course in his illustrious career.

Tiger Woods turned down offer of $700-$800 million to join controversial LIV Golf



LIV Golf, the professional golf tour that has stirred controversy due to its ties with the Saudi Arabian government and efforts to lure talent away from the PGA Tour, lost out on the biggest fish in the sport.

In an appearance on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman confirmed that 46-year-old Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, turned down an offer between $700 million and $800 million to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

"Look, Tiger is a needle mover, right? So, of course you're got to look at the best of the best,” Norman told Tucker Carlson. When Carlson asked Norman about the $700-$800 million figure that had been rumored, Norman responded, “They had originally approached Tiger before I became CEO. That number is somewhere in that neighborhood."

Norman called the PGA Tour a "monopoly" during his interview with Carlson and said the PGA created obstacles that caused LIV Golf to alter its plans for its launch.

Norman also said it "blows my mind" that corporate sponsors have dropped golfers for joining LIV because of its Saudi ties, despite having business ties themselves with Saudi Arabia. "The PGA Tour, I think, has about 27 sponsors who do 40-plus billion dollars’ worth of annual business on an annual basis in Saudi Arabia," he claimed.

LIV has been handing out enormous sums of money to attract top PGA stars to its events. According to the Associated Press, various reports have said Phil Mickelson received a $200 million signing bonus, while Dustin Johnson received $150 million.

As LIV’s rivalry with the PGA Tour rages on, Woods has remained an outspoken supporter of the latter. "I’ve been playing out here for a couple of decades, and I think there’s a legacy to it. I still think the PGA Tour has so much to offer, so much opportunity,” Woods said in May. He also stated that players who took money from LIV Golf had “turned their back” on the PGA Tour that made them famous.

Woods should be able to survive without the LIV deal. Forbes estimates that he has earned $1.7 billion on and off the course in his illustrious career.