A defiant Greg Norman has claimed that Saudi Arabia has "learned from mistakes" on human rights despite perception of the country still plagued by its handling of numerous social and political issues.
Since LIV Golf kicked off in 2022, the rebel tour has been frequently accused of 'sportswashing' by critics, with the venture largely funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Players have been offered extortionate amounts of money to defect from the PGA Tour, with many, most notably Open champion Cameron Smith, opting to defect.
In May last year, LIV CEO Norman himself was vilified after being questioned on the death of Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in October 2018.
The Australian said: "The whole thing about Saudi Arabia and Khashoggi and human rights - talk about it, but also talk about the good the country is doing in changing its culture. Look, we’ve all made mistakes. And you just want to learn by those mistakes. And you just want to learn by those mistakes and how you can correct them going forward."
This week, Norman and co landed a major blow in their battle for supremacy with the PGA, securing a television deal with CW Network to broadcast all 14 of its events in 2023. But when speaking to NewsNation host Dan Abrams on Friday, the 67-year-old was pressed on whether he felt Saudi Arabia had learnt from past mistakes.
“Look, I think everybody learns from their mistakes,” he answered, only for Abrams to hit straight back with: “But have the Saudis?” Norman remained resolute, saying "Yes, I do. From what I’m seeing. I’ve been over there before this role of being CEO of LIV Golf Investments."
But the two-time major winner didn't exactly put weight behind his answer, diverting onto the topic of his own time spent in the Middle East: "I’ve been over there building a golf course in Saudi Arabia," he added. "Now, this is way before any of this ‘who-ha-ha’ erupted. I was there for a reason ’cause they see the value in what golf is a force for good, and it’s proving it out in their country today.”
Norman has scarcely been described as a diplomat amid golf's explosive saga, and ongoing legal action means relations are unlikely to improve anytime soon. But somewhat intriguingly, he then claimed diplomacy was high on his agenda despite his thus far aggressive approach with LIV.
“Golf diplomacy is something I’ve been extremely passionate about for more than a quarter of a century," he said. "I’ve traveled the world my whole life, and golf diplomacy to me means more than anything else. So if we can use golf as a platform to grow a country, improve a country, fantastic, hallelujah.”
