LIV’s DeChambeau says Saudis ‘trying to do good for world’ amid PGA merger

Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open champion who was one of the first big names to sign up for LIV Golf, says he feels bad for the players who stayed loyal to the PGA Tour as he defended the Saudi-backed league.

In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, he also defended Saudi Arabia, whose Public Investment Fund backs LIV. Several advocacy groups, including 9/11 Families United, a group of nearly 2,500 survivors of family members killed or injured in the September 11 terrorist attacks, released statements criticizing the new agreement on Tuesday. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins also pressed DeChambeau on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, including the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

“I mean look, it’s unfortunate what has happened but that is not something I can speak on because I’m a golfer,” DeChambeau said. “What I can say is that, what they’re trying to do is be better allies, because we are allied with them. I’m not going to get into the politics of it, I’m not specialized in it. But what I can say is they’re trying to do good for the world and showcase themselves in a light that hasn’t been seen in a while. Nobody is perfect but we’re all trying to improve in life.”

He added: “As time has gone on, 20 years has passed [since 9/11], and we’re in a place now where it’s time to try to work together to make things better together as a whole … I have a huge amount of respect for [the 9/11 families’] position and what they believe. Nor do I want anything like that to occur again. I think as we move forward from that we have to look towards a pathway to peace. Especially in forgiveness. Especially if we’re trying to mend the world and make it a better place. This is what … LIV is trying to accomplish.”

The PGA