LIV Golf’s Greg Norman misfires on Capitol Hill as lawmakers say he’s spreading Saudi propaganda

LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman climbed Capitol Hill this week seeking lawmakers’ support for the upstart tour amid its ongoing antitrust lawsuit against its PGA rivals, but was instead accused of spreading propaganda for his Saudi Arabian backers.

Norman faced questions over LIV Golf’s financing, which comes from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, as legislators from both parties accused him of wasting Congress’ time on a business despite between the tours. LIV Golf and seven of its players recently sued the PGA Tour over alleged antitrust violations, stemming from the Tour’s decision to ban any golfers who signed with the Saudi-backed circuit.

‘They wanted to talk about antitrust, and I could care less,’ Congressman Tim Burchett (Republican-Tennessee) told the Washington Post. ‘It’s not Congress’s job. We’re a country of laws; take it up to the courts. That’s where it needs to be, not in the halls of Congress.

‘How in the hell are we wasting any time talking about a bunch of millionaires and a golf game?’ he continued. ‘This is all just Saudi propaganda.’

On Twitter, Burchett later echoed frequent criticism of Saudi Arabia: ‘Weren’t Saudis flying some of those planes on 9-11 and what about their killing of @washingtonpost columnist #JamalKashoggi?’ 

With the promise of guaranteed contracts and $400m in prize money, Norman’s outfit has already lured away some of the biggest names in golf, including Phil Mickelson, who reportedly signed with the upstart tour for $200m. 

‘Don’t come in here and act like you’re doing some great thing while you’re pimping a billion dollars of Saudi Arabian money and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the United States,’ said Congressman Chip Roy (Republican-Texas). 

Despite the criticism, LIV Golf described the trip as productive. 

‘Greg Norman had a very productive day on Capitol Hill today in front of some 60 members of Congress,’ LIV spokesman Jonathan Grella said in a statement Wednesday. ‘His message about the benefits of competition was very well received, even if a couple members of Congress say otherwise.’