Greg Norman has teed off on Jack Nicklaus.
Norman is heading LIV Golfing, the upstart golfing league that is looking for to disrupt the PGA Tour by giving additional funds in general and assured. The venture is backed by the Saudi government. Nicklaus told the Fireplace Pit Collective that he turned down about $100 million to do the produce Norman in essence took, citing loyalty to the PGA Tour, which he aided shape.
Nicklaus was a longtime mentor to Norman, and Norman has even referred to him as a “father figure,” but the two have grow to be estranged amid Norman’s LIV affiliation.
“One hundred % truth of the matter? Jack’s a hypocrite,” Norman advised the Washington Article. “When he arrived out with all those remarks, I’m thinking: Jack ought to have a quick memory.”
Norman promises in the tale that Nicklaus had attended an LIV presentation, and even emailed that the upstart tour had his blessing.
“Quote-unquote, he mentioned: ‘This is superior for our recreation. If it is fantastic for the sport of golfing, it’s fantastic by me,’ ” Norman stated. “So, you want the info? You have got the information. Know what you explained ahead of you open up your mouth.”
Nicklaus is remaining sued by his possess company, which in section promises that it experienced to converse him out of a part with LIV, which he’d been allegedly negotiating without the need of looping the Jack Nicklaus Companies in. The fit also statements that starting and halting these negotiations possibly risked other business enterprise initiatives they have with the Saudis in the method.
His rep despatched the Washington Submit a statement reaffirming “unwavering support” for the PGA Tour and wished Norman very well.
Norman has been continuously accused of “sportswashing” — the act of applying sports activities to give legitimacy to despots — with the Saudis.
“No, I have not been applied for sportswashing due to the fact I’ve been to Saudi Arabia, and I’ve noticed the alterations that have taken put,” Norman informed the Financial Periods previous calendar year.
“Every place has finished horrendous items in the earlier … just search at America with racism, for illustration, it’s just so embedded in this article, it is just unpleasant.”
On the Saudi-requested killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Norman mentioned in May, “Everybody has owned up to it, correct? It has been spoken about, from what I’ve browse, likely on what you fellas claimed … Take ownership, no make a difference what it is. Appear, we have all made issues and you just want to learn from those issues and how you can correct them likely ahead.”
Phil Mickelson, who was in negotiations with LIV, also arrived less than hearth for downplaying human legal rights fears.
“They’re frightening mother [expletive] to get associated with,” Mickelson said in February. “We know they killed [Washington Post reporter Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute individuals more than there for currently being gay. Recognizing all of this, why would I even think about it? Mainly because this is a as soon as-in-a-life span chance to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”
Mickelson has been in relative seclusion due to the fact generating these remarks.
The to start with LIV golfing event is coming up this week exterior London. Amongst the opponents are Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Kevin Na, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel, Graeme McDowell and Talor Gooch. Johnson was reportedly compensated “around” $125 million to be a part of the tour.
The PGA Tour has promised unspecified punishments for golfers who contend in the Saudi-backed collection, and there has speculation that this could get to the degree of life span bans.
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