What is LIV Golf? Phil Mickelson to play Rich Harvest Farms as part of controversial Saudi-backed tour

SUGAR GROVE, In poor health. (WLS) — Wealthy Harvest Farms golf course in Kane County is internet hosting its first-ever skilled golf event this weekend.

Nevertheless it’s not the PGA, it is the brand new LIV Golf Sequence. It is surrounded by controversy as a result of it is financed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

A number of the huge identify golfers have already cashed huge checks for becoming a member of the LIV Golf tour. The large cash payouts and the tour’s ties to Saudi Arabia and its human rights abuses have made the brand new collection controversial. However there was little speak of that on Thursday.

Golf legend Phil Mickelson was noticed sporting shorts and having fun with the pro-am on the Wealthy Harvest Golf Membership. He isn’t wanting again at his determination to hitch the tour.

“When you decide that you realize is true, that you realize is in one of the best curiosity long-term, it is simple to resist any criticism,” Mickelson stated.

That is the primary cease in Chicago for the brand new LIV Golf tour. It has drawn controversy since its inception, together with criticism from human rights teams as a result of it is financed by Saudi Arabia.

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The tour has given enormous bonuses to a lot of prime PGA gamers – and the PGA has banned them in response. However that did not cease younger autograph seekers.

“This one of the best for him,” stated Kinzie Farrell, who introduced her son to the event. “He’ll be speaking about all of it evening. For the remainder of his life.”

Jerry Wealthy constructed the non-public course years in the past and was instrumental in bringing the event to the Chicago space. It is often known as one of the vital lovely – and tough – programs within the Midwest. Wealthy stated he is not frightened about controversy.

“It is all about golf,” Wealthy stated. “Chicago is a superb golf neighborhood and so they’ll all be on the market to look at. With all the opposite nonsense happening you, simply gotta get away from it and luxuriate in golf.”

The tour operates in another way than the PGA. The sphere of gamers is smaller, they play three days as a substitute of 4, and there’s no lower. However they play for giant cash. The professional-am is drawing a lot of golf followers anxious to play with the professionals, in addition to some retired athletes, like Blackhawks heart Jeremy Roenick.

“It is nice to assist promote one thing possibly not lots of people like, however folks do not perceive sports activities as a lot as anyone like I do, so it is good to be right here,” Roenick stated.

Beginning Friday morning, the sphere of 48 professionals will take over for 3 rounds. They’re set as much as accommodate an enormous crowd, and tickets are nonetheless obtainable.