So after all the drama leading up to the inaugural European Tour event in Saudi Arabia last year, plenty of high-profile players accepted big 7-digit appearance fee checks and played the controversy-filled tournament.  You may also recall this was the tournament of Sergio Garcia throwing some epic tantrums.  Anyway, the 2nd year of the Saudi International is around the corner, and naturally the drama has kicked back up.  It started with Phil ditching the Phoenix Open after 30 years as a mainstay to his schedule.  Phil cited “an opportunity to see a place in the world he’s never been” in so many words.  Naturally, the golf world HAD to have comment from Tiger Woods.

Unsurprisingly, Tiger was offered what many to believe to be in the ballpark of $3 million just to show up.  Tiger would refuse the offer and make it two years in a row he’s turned down the invitation.  And like many players in the past, Tiger is doing a good job toeing the line of diplomacy and looking out for #1.

Woods told ESPN, “I just don’t want to go over there. It’s a long way.”  This answer works well because he isn’t getting into the political side of things, but he’s also making it clear he doesn’t want to participate.  In this same ESPN piece, Woods goes on to defend Phil’s, and other big Americans’, participation:

“I understand the politics behind it,” Woods said Tuesday of the controversy. “But also the game of golf can help heal a lot of that, too. It can help grow it. And also a lot of top players are going to be playing there that particular week.”

This is my favorite canned answer we’ve seen in both of the past two years.  Without diving into politics too much, I love that there’s a narrative that professional golf tournaments and players are going to be a major contributor to resolving human rights debates.  I have no idea if this is feasible and there’s data to support that refusals would really have a tangible impact, but let’s all be honest – these pros are showing up for huge paydays.  Let’s just call it what it is.  And Tiger, like many others last year, provided a classic non-answer answer.  Either way, Tiger won’t be in Saudi Arabia in 2019 so maybe we’ll see him teeing it up at the Phoenix Open and turning the 16th hole into a madhouse!

Hotter Take

If you’re looking for a hotter take on the matter, check out Max Adler’s piece from Golf Digest December 5th, 2019 here.  The piece is called “Phil knows better” and is all about how Phil committing to Saudi Arabia seems…not great.

We’re all eagerly awaiting Phil to go deeper on his decision to play in Saudi Arabia. As a leader of American golf and future Ryder Cup captain, it’s his obligation as a public figure not to remain selectively oblivious.

…

What does Phil want the legacy of “Phil Being Phil” to be?

It’s pretty intense and I really enjoy (and admired) Adler’s willingness to not shy away from a tough topic with it’s the politics or daring to speak out against part of golf’s royal family.