Golf: McIlroy defends players' right to compete in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi International, which will be on the Asian Tour
schedule in 2022, has released a list
https://www.golfsaudi.com/en-us/golf-saudi/news/2022-player-field of confirmed
golfers, including high-profile names such as Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau
and Phil Mickelson.
The PGA Tour has yet to grant waivers to Tour members
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/johnson-dechambeau-mickelson-confirmed-saudi-international-2021-11-29,
citing a conflict of events as reason for the delay. The non-PGA Saudi event is
scheduled to take place over the same weekend as the AT&T Pebble Beach
Pro-Am.
"In my opinion, I think the Tour should grant releases.
It's an Asian Tour event, it's an event that has official golf world
rankings," McIlroy said.
"I do see reasons why they wouldn't grant releases, but
I think if they're trying to do what's best for their members, and their
members are going to a place other than the PGA Tour and being able to earn
that money, I mean, we're independent contractors, and I feel like we should be
able to do that," he said.
"I should be able to go play where I want if I have the
credentials and I have the eligibility to do so. I'd say most of the players on
tour would be in a similar opinion to me."
The Saudi International has invited controversy since its
inception in 2019 due to allegations of human rights abuses against the Saudi
government.
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