‘Not sure he knows where Saudi Arabia is’

Rick Reilly thinks of Dustin Johnson just like the scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz” — a person with out a mind.

Reilly, the legendary former Sports activities Illustrated author, wrote a scathing entry on his Fb web page aimed toward Phil Mickelson that caught Johnson with a ricochet shot.

“Don’t blink. These are perilous occasions in golf. The professional sport is teetering getting ready to a bloody mess. The Ryder Cup, the majors, even the Masters could by no means be the identical. This Saudi effort to sportswash their murderous human rights report by shopping for off professional golfers with silly cash (Phil Mickelson: $200M) is working. These gamers know the Saudis kill journalists, jail dissenters, ‘disappear’ gays, oppress ladies. And these gamers have stated loud and clear: ‘We Don’t Care. We Need Greater Jets,’” Reilly wrote.

“I can perceive Dustin Johnson ($180M) taking the bait. I’m undecided he is aware of the place Saudi Arabia is, however Phil knew. Phil reads. Phil thinks. And he did it anyway.”

For what it’s value, different studies have pegged Johnson at merely “round” $125 million — not the $180 million determine Reilly cites — however the actual figures are past the purpose. The purpose is, it’s some huge cash.

What is frightening for the PGA Tour on this conundrum is it’s type of like one other NL East proprietor bidding for stars towards Steve Cohen: You’re competing with somebody who doesn’t significantly care about short-term revenue and loss from this particular enterprise.

The most important flashpoint within the dialog about human rights was the brutal homicide of journalist Jamal Khashoggi within the Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018.

Because it pertains to golf, the PGA Tour is between a rock and a tough place right here. In all probability, they are going to proceed to lose gamers to LIV Golf. As they draw a tough line towards golfers who play within the Saudi-backed league, they are going to see the star energy of their very own tournaments dwindle.

Even when they reverse course and open the floodgates, permitting gamers to compete for each excursions, it’s presumable that these gamers, awash in cash as a result of new competitors, are going to choose and select which PGA Tour tournaments they compete in.

Subsequently, the very existence of LIV Golf threatens the aggressive depth of the PGA Tour, nonetheless they proceed from right here.

LIV Golf held its debut match outdoors London this previous weekend.

For apparent causes, golfers have been a significant proxy on this debate concerning the ethics of doing enterprise with the Saudis.

Nonetheless, it bears mentioning that President Biden, who referred to as Saudi Arabia a “pariah” when he took workplace, has performed an about-face because the world faces an vitality provide disaster partly attributable to Russia’s battle in Ukraine.

Final week, CNN reported that the White Home is looking for a “reset” in its relationship with Saudi Arabia.