Calgary Golfer Defends Saudi Human Rights Record: 'Nobody's Perfect' | HuffPost Latest News - Action.News ABC Action News WestNet-HD Weather Traffic

Professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau stumbled into a vague defense of Saudi Arabias human rights record while talking about the PGA Tours new deal with LIV Golf on Tuesday, telling CNN s Kaitlan Collins that nobodys perfect.

News of the partnership between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf made waves across the sports world and beyond following intense criticism of the Saudi-funded league and the kingdoms record of human rights abuses.

LIV Golf is funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman controls . The crown prince ordered the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi , the CIA concluded that year.

Human Rights Watch , a nongovernmental organization that monitors human rights abuses, described Saudi Arabias foray into golf as sportswashing, or using athletics and cultural influence as a way to rehabilitate the kingdoms reputation.

DeChambeau, who signed a $100 million contract with LIV Golf last June, didnt appear to have been briefed on any of the wider controversies about the league when he appeared on CNN on Tuesday.

Bryson DeChambeau, an early recruit to the Saudi-backed LIV tour, on the PGA merger shocker and criticism from the families of 9/11 victims: pic.twitter.com/i1R6AWjw1Z

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Bryson DeChambeau, an early recruit to the Saudi-backed LIV tour, on the PGA merger shocker and criticism from the families of 9/11 victims: pic.twitter.com/i1R6AWjw1Z
Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 7, 2023

When Collins pointed out to DeChambeau that the families of 9/11 victims were criticizing the merger, the golfer replied, I think, as time has gone on, 20 years has passed and were in a place now where its time to start trying to make things better together, as a whole.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers who carried out the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were from Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government has staunchly denied any involvement in 9/11.

Though DeChambeau expressed deep sympathy for the 9/11 families who said they were shocked and deeply offended by the merger in a press release on Tuesday he asked them to find a pathway to peace and forgiveness.

Especially if were trying to mend the world and make it a better place, the golfer said.

When Collins pressed DeChambeau about the extent of Saudi Arabias abuses, citing Khashoggis murder and the kingdoms links to terrorist groups, the golfer said he wasnt going to get into the politics of it.

What I can say is theyre trying to do good for the world and showcase themselves in a light that hasnt been seen in a while, he continued. And nobodys perfect, but were all trying to improve in life.

Collins responded, Yeah. I think they would say its not just about politics, its also about human rights, and that is where the critics have weighed in so heavily on this.

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