Graeme McDowell says he is obtained loss of life threats telling him to 'go die' having joined LIV Golf tour

"However we're golfers. Talking personally, I actually really feel like golf is a drive of fine on the planet. I simply attempt to be an awesome function mannequin to children. I do know what the sport of golf has taught me. I really like utilizing the sport of golf as one thing to form of assist develop all over the world. That is just about what we have been for the final 20 years, being function fashions for youths and attempt to use this sport, like I say, as a drive of fine actually.

"We're not politicians. I do know you guys hate that expression, however we're actually not, sadly. We're skilled golfers. If Saudi Arabia needed to make use of the sport of golf as a means for them to get to the place they need to be and so they have the sources to speed up that have, I believe we're proud to assist them on that journey utilizing the sport of golf and the talents that we've got to assist develop the game and take them to the place they need to be."

Since that first occasion in London, as increasingly more gamers select to hitch for a much bigger payday, the scrutiny has solely elevated.

And for 2010 US Open winner McDowell, that focus and criticism has turn into fairly the burden.

"I am unable to activate my Instagram or Twitter account with out somebody telling me to go die," the 42-year-old mentioned on Monday. "I simply want I had mentioned nothing. I want I had sat there and shook my head and mentioned, 'No remark,' but it surely's not who I'm.

"It is actually onerous as a result of I am being requested questions that there aren't any proper solutions to. I am having my ethical integrity attacked on a regular basis when all I am attempting to do is play golf.

"I am attempting to make a enterprise choice for me and my household. I've paid my dues on this sport during the last 20 years, I've tried to hold myself the appropriate means.

"The tenuous hyperlinks to what the Saudi regime have carried out... the horrible issues they've carried out -- (those that have criticized LIV Golf) are attempting to hyperlink this to golf and taking part in skilled golf.

"I've performed golf everywhere in the world, in nations whose human rights information might most likely be torn aside as effectively.

"I've by no means questioned being in China, the Center East, everywhere in the world and what I do is I play skilled golf. I play golf for cash. I've chased that cash everywhere in the world all my profession. Do I analysis into the morals of each greenback I've ever made? No, I do not."

Fronted by former world No. 1 Greg Norman, the team-based LIV sequence is backed by the PIF and has pledged to award $250 million in complete prize cash. Tournaments are held over 54 holes, somewhat than the PGA Tour's 72 holes, and there aren't any gamers lower throughout match play.