, Columnist
Saudi-Backed LIV Golf Is Nothing to Be Upset About
The uproar over the new competitor to the PGA misses a key point: Golf is just a sport, and not even a very popular one.
Phil Mickelson cashes in.
Photographer: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Saudi Arabia is using golf to boost its presence on the global stage. Its new sovereign wealth fund-financed LIV Golf tour launched this June, and many people remain unhappy. The criticisms from the worlds of politics and golf suggest the sport will be turned into a vehicle for Saudi political ambitions. And not everyone likes the recipe of faster play and an atmosphere that is party-like rather than stodgy.
In contrast, I think everything will be just fine.