The introduction of LIV Golf to the sport has certainly thrown the golfing world into flux.
The Saudi backed golf league has convinced some big names to take part in its opening event this week, with the likes of Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, and Phil Mickelson set to play at Centurion Club tomorrow.
LIV Golf is certainly putting major pressure on the PGA and European tours, offering a huge amount of guaranteed cash to any golfer willing to attach themselves to the new venture.
Of course, there are also very legitimate moral questions to be asked of those players. While they will be handsomely rewarded for their play, they will also be getting into bed with an event that is very clearly an attempt at sportswashing by Saudi Arabia.
Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell attempted to justify his decision to take part yesterday, accidentally giving a textbook definition of sportswashing in the process. While no player has directly said so, it is clear they are willing to overlook these issues if the money is right.
Ian Poulter & Lee Westwood unhappy with LIV Golf questions
That very question was put to Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood earlier today, leading to a very awkward exchange.
Journalist Neil McLeman asked the pair where they would draw the line in terms of participating in events, questioning if they would play in a tournament organised by Vladimir Putin if the money was right.
As you can imagine, his line of questioning did not go down well, with neither man giving a real answer.
#Golf's moral maze...
"If Vladimir Putin had a tournament would you play there?"@IanJamesPoulter - "I won't comment on speculation"
"Would you have played in Apartheid South Africa?"@WestwoodLee - "I can't answer a hypothetical question"@NeilMcLeman with the questions pic.twitter.com/HGCNoj3HFu— Neil Barker (@Mockneyrebel) June 8, 2022
McLeman: Is there anywhere in the world you wouldn't play? If Vladimir Putin had a tournament, would you play there?
Poulter: That's speculation. I'm not even going to comment on speculation.
McLeman: In a generality, is there anywhere you wouldn't play on a moral basis? If the money is right, is there anywhere you wouldn't play?
Poulter: I don't need to answer that question.
McLeman: Sorry?
Poulter: I don't need to answer that question.
McLeman: Lee do you want to answer it? Would you have played in apartheid South Africa, for example?
Westwood: You're just asking us to answer hypothetical questions aren't you?
McLeman: Well, it's a moral question.
Westwood: I don't have to answer a question on that.
Remarkable.
This sums up the nature of LIV Golf. Those participating in the event cannot answer such seemingly easy questions without tying themselves up in knots.
It will be interesting to see if this intense scrutiny continues in the months ahead, although it doesn't seem like dying down anytime soon.
SEE ALSO: MacDowell Comes Under Intense Scrutiny After Controversial LIV Golf Comments
