Grame McDowell says he is 'proud' to participate in the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series which tees off in England this week.
The lucrative tournament, which has a record $25m prize fund, has been widely criticised within the international golf community owing to its links to the Saudi regime.
Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and his regime, was seen on CCTV entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018.
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Various investigations - by authorities from Turkey, the CIA and the United Nations - later revealed that the 59-year-old was murdered by agents linked to the Saudi government.
McDowell spoke to the media in London ahead of the inaugural LIV Golf Series and outlined his pride in signing up for the cash-laden breakaway tour — despite the controversy surrounding the tournament as a whole.
“This has been incredibly polarising,” he said. “I think we all agree up here, take the Khashoggi situation — we all agree that was reprehensible.
"No-one is going to argue that fact. But we are golfers. Speaking personally, I feel that golf is a force of good in the world."
McDowell, who is one of 48 players to tee it up at the Centurion Club, said his aim through playing golf is to stand out as a positive example to young kids.
“I just try to be a great role model to kids, I know what the game of golf has taught me,” he said. “I love using the game of golf as something to help grow around the world.
“That is pretty much what we have done for the last 20 years; be role models to kids (and) try and use this game as a force of good really.
“We are not politicians. I know you guys hate that expression but we are really not, unfortunately. We are professional golfers.
“If Saudi Arabia wants to use the game of golf as a way for them to get to where they want to be — and they have the resources to accelerate that experience — I think we are proud to help them on that journey.”
Other high profile golfers to play in the inaugural tournament include Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer.
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