Bryson DeChambeau, a former PGA Tour golfer who got a big contract to jump to LIV Golf last year, defended the Saudi Arabia-backed organization when confronted about the country’s human rights abuses and alleged involvement in 9/11.
During an interview with CNN this week, DeChambeau was asked about criticism from the families of 9/11 victims and survivors, in which they said they were “deeply offended” by the PGA Tour’s announcement that it was merging with LIV Golf.
While taking sips from what appeared to be an energy drink during the interview, the 29-year-old said he hoped the two sides could “start trying to work together… towards a pathway to peace and forgiveness.”
“Well, I think we’ll never be able to repay the families back for what exactly happened just over 20 years ago, and what happened is definitely horrible,” DeChambeau explained to CNN.
“I don’t know exactly what they’re feeling – I can’t ever know what they feel – but I have a huge amount of respect for their position and what they believe, nor do I ever want anything like that to ever occur again,” he added to CNN.
According to Bleacher Report, DeChambeau signed an over $125 million contract with LIV Golf when he became one of its earliest recruits in 2022.
LIV Golf has been slammed for its ties to the Public Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund that invests on behalf of Saudi Arabia, a country long condemned for human rights abuses.
There is also suspicion that the Saudi government may have helped the hijackers behind the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, according to ProPublica. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, and Saudi Arabia has long denied involvement.
“What they’re trying to do – what they’re trying to work on – is to be better allies because we are allies with them,” DeChambeau told CNN.
“I’m not going to get into the politics of it; I’m not specialized in that, but what I can say is that they are trying to do good for the world and showcase themselves in a light that hasn’t been seen in a while,” he added. “Nobody’s perfect, but we’re all trying to improve in life.”
DeChambeau claimed LIV and PIF were trying to create “a better world for everybody and a way to provide better entertainment” for golf fans worldwide.
Source: The Messenger
