(Reuters) – Former British Open champion Shane Lowry stated on Tuesday he has no qualms about taking part in subsequent month in Saudi Arabia, which has come beneath worldwide scrutiny for its human rights report, and that he’s simply making an attempt to make a residing.
The Irishman is amongst a stacked subject of confirmed golfers for the Saudi International, which is sponsored by the Saudi public funding fund and carries profitable look charges for some, main many to name it nothing greater than a money seize.
“Look, clearly there is not any hiding from the folks writing about this match or what they’re saying about us going to play, however on the finish of the day for me, I’m not a politician, I’m a skilled golfer,” Lowry advised a digital media session.
“I earn a residing for myself and my household and try to care for these, and that is simply a a part of that, and I want to go there.”
The Feb. 3-6 Saudi International, which is working reverse of the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, was a part of the European Tour the final three years however is now a flagship occasion on the Asian Tour.
Because of that, gamers had to search releases from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, previously the European Tour, so as to compete subsequent month at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
Plenty of gamers have made multi-year commitments to seem within the occasion, together with Lowry who agreed to a three-year contract to play within the Saudi International after profitable the 2019 British Open at Royal Portrush.
“Yeah, clearly it is not a European Tour occasion now, it is an Asian Tour occasion, however I’ve received a contract to play, and I do not see any cause why or I doubt I would not have been given my launch or would not be allowed to go and play. I’m glad that I’m ready to go and play,” stated Lowry.
“Like I stated, I’ve had very nice experiences over there, and I’m trying ahead to going again.”
The match has invited controversy since its inception in 2019 with some calling it the Saudi Arabian authorities’s means to “sportswash” a controversial human rights report however for Lowry, that’s not his enterprise.
“I’m glad to go there. I’m glad to earn my residing going there and going and taking part in good golf and hopefully win a match,” stated Lowry.
“I feel for me as a golfer, I’m not a politician, I’ll let everybody else care for that, and I’ll go and do my job.”
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, modifying by Pritha Sarkar)
