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BY AAGD STAFF
December 3, 2019 NASSAU, Bahamas — Tiger Woods twice turned down offers to play in the controversial Saudi International tournament on the European Tour, but he defended Phil Mickelson’s decision to play the event early next year. Woods reportedly told ESPN “I just don’t want to go over there. It’s a long way.” Other PGA players who have declined the Saudi invitation include Rory McIlroy. The Saudi International begins Jan. 30 at Royal Greens Country Club. Reportedly Woods was offered in the neighborhood of $3 million to play the tournament each of the last two years and has continued to decline.
In 2019, Woods declined a spot in the event, which was eventually won by Dustin Johnson. That year, prior to the event, the killing of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi took place in October 2018. Khashoggi had been based in the United States at the time and had been critical of Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman and was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkish officials said.
While busy this week serving as player-host, Woods is in the Bahamas, basking in the sun while preparing to tee off alongside Justin Thomas in the first round of the Hero World Challenge that starts on Wednesday at 11:35 a.m.
That led to heavy criticism of the European Tour for going on with the event, which is being played for a second time, Jan. 30-Feb. 2. Rory McIlroy also turned down an offer to play.
The crown prince was a prominent figure at last year’s golf tournament. His government is putting up the $3.5 million purse as well as seven-figure appearance fees to several players.
Defending champion Johnson will return, as will Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Tony Finau, Open champion Shane Lowry and Henrik Stenson. Mickelson came under criticism for accepting an invitation to play in the event and skipping the Waste Management Phoenix Open, where he has played 27 straight years and 30 times overall.
“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.
“It’s traditionally not a golf hotbed, the Middle East. But it has grown quite a bit. I remember going to Dubai for my very first time and seeing maybe two or three buildings in the skyline. Now there is a New York City skyline. Again, golf has grown. There were only a few courses when I went to Dubai and now they’re everywhere. Same with Abu Dhabi, and maybe eventually in Saudi Arabia.”
Mickelson was heavily criticized — although he also had a good number of supporters — after his decision to play was reported. And he responded on Twitter with his reasons.
“After turning down opportunities to go to the Middle East for many years, I’m excited to go play and see a place in the world I’d never seen,” said Mickelson, who played in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in 2011 and 2014. “I understand those who are upset or disappointed. You’ll be OK. I’m excited to experience this for the first time.”
