Greg Norman refers to Jamal Khashoggi killing as 'mistake,' drawing backlash, LIV Golf clarification

The LIV Golf Invitational Series has attempted to clarify CEO Greg Norman's comments that referred to the Saudi Arabian monarchy's alleged involvement in the death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi as a «mistake,» a remark that drew widespread criticism, including from Khashoggi's fiancée.

On Wednesday, during a news conference in London to promote LIV Golf's first event at Centurion Club, June 9-11, Norman was asked about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's alleged complicity in the 2018 killing of Khashoggi, an American citizen. LIV Golf is being financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which is controlled by bin Salman.

«From what I heard and what you guys reported, just take ownership of what it is,» Norman told reporters. «Take ownership no matter what it is. Look, we've all made mistakes, and you just want to learn from those mistakes and how you can correct them going forward.»

Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. The Saudi crown prince has denied involvement in the killing.

Hatice Cengiz, who was supposed to marry Khashoggi the same year he died, shared her outrage at Norman's comments to The Telegraph of London.

«It is so hurtful when Jamal's brutal killing is brushed off as a 'mistake' and that we should just move on,» Cengiz told the newspaper. «Would you say that if it was your loved one? How can we go forward when those who ordered the murder are still unpunished and continue to try to buy back their legitimacy?»

LIV Golf issued a statement later Wednesday attempting to clarify Norman's comments.

«The killing of Jamal Khashoggi was reprehensible,» the statement said. «Everyone agrees on that, including Greg, as he has said as such previously