Charles Howell III, a golf fanatic, was always meant to be a part of LIV Golf.
Howell, 43, was eager to make a change despite his 22 years of “greatness” on the PGA Tour that spanned 608 events. He earned more than $42million with only three wins. He also idolized LIV’s leader.
Growing up, Greg Norman was my hero. “I mean, every year at Augusta and Masters, I couldn’t wait to get outside and watch Greg Norman play,” Howell, a native of Augusta, Georgia, said. He was an idol. In his Spalding days, I kept a cardboard cutout of Greg in the room. He was the perfect man.”
Howell, who is the latest player to join the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-backed upstart circuit, will make his debut at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster this week. Howell, who was asked about human rights in Saudi Arabia during the pre-event press conference with fellow LIV rookies Jason Kokrak, and Paul Casey, said that he has never been there but is “excited” to.
Howell said, “Being a sports lover, I believe that sports can be a force of good and change.” He used a common talking point that players use to avoid difficult questions from the media. These issues are being addressed by Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 driver in Saudi Arabia. These issues are being addressed right now. This is the first step towards achieving change.
Howell didn’t take the first step, and didn’t mention a word about Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, gay people being punished with capital punishment, or women’s rights, even though he was asked.
He said instead, “I believe that golf can, will and will be a force for good and change, and that’s the reason I’m here.”
Formula 1 was nearly cancelled in March after a missile attack on Jeddah, just 10 miles from the track. The Friday before the race, drivers met for four hours and discussed boycotting the event. However, they continued with the weekend’s events.
Hamilton, on the other hand, couldn’t be happier to travel to Saudi Arabia with his family.
Hamilton, who is a seven-time world champion of the sport and wore the Progress Pride flag to his helmet when he won 2021’s inaugural race in the Kingdom, said that he was happy that the weekend was over. “I’m so happy everyone is safe. I just want to get out. “I just want to get home.”
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain, Mercedes GP, prepares to drive during F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia, Jeddah Corniche Circuit, December 05th, 2021 in Jeddah. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images).
Lando Norris, a fellow driver, said that he was relieved to have made it through the weekend. It is nerve-wracking and you will feel it.
Howell, like his fellow colleagues, exaggerated the excitement of the team event. He downplayed the guaranteed millions of dollars as the reason he joined LIV. In fact, he said, “No, money wasn’t a factor.”
“I love the game. Today, I enjoy the game more than I did five-years ago. Howell said, “Now that my son plays competitive golf, I feel even more motivated to play the game.” This is something new and exciting.
By: Adam Woodard
Title: Charles Howell III avoids Saudi Arabia human rights abuses, explains why he joined LIV Golf after 22-year PGA Tour career
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/07/27/charles-howell-liv-golf-tour-news-saudi-arabia-pga-tour/
Published Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2022 16:40:12 +0000
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