LIV Golf, the controversial Saudi-backed tour that rocked the PGA Tour cages, descended on the New York metro area with its third tournament, this week’s LIV Golf Invitational at Trump Bedminster in New Jersey.

And the subject of the source of money (the Public Investment Fund, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world) and the moral outrage of many people continues to be an issue with the tour and the players who take it. ‘we’re joining.

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When the human rights atrocities associated with the Saudi government were brought to the players’ attention and they were asked about their thoughts associated with these elements, Paul Casey stood up for the Saudis.

“I have been to the Kingdom many times and have seen changes happening in the Kingdom, so I can say with confidence that change is happening and what we are doing is having a positive effect,” the manager said. 45 years old. -old man from England said. “I went there and saw changes and talked to people there. I played with a young girl in the Saudi Invitational pro-am earlier this year when I was 17.

“I played with another lady who is a human rights lawyer. They were brilliant, entertaining company, and this young girl talked about how things have changed and that just in the last two years since she started the game of golf, how things have changed drastically for her and his family and that this opportunity would be I had not been there over two years ago.

“It was such a positive experience for me,” Casey continued. “That’s one of the reasons I love being a golfer, traveling the world and meeting people. She was excited because she was going to be a scrutineer at the Formula 1 race later that year, and she just said, yeah, things are changing. She can’t wait to drive.

“Change is happening. Look, that’s not where you are, that’s where you’re going. There are a lot of places on the planet that I’ve been to, where I’ve been paid to go, that I’m not sure I can say the same about in terms of trajectory. But I can honestly look you in the eye and say that I see a trajectory, a positive trajectory in the Kingdom, and it was a very good experience that I had when I went there, and I hope that continues . ‘

When Casey, Jason Kokrak and Charles Howell III, all newcomers to LIV playing in their first event of the tour this week at Trump Bedminster, were asked about the Saudis’ heinous treatment of gay men and women, they became a little dumb.

“It’s not a subject I know well enough to talk about,” Casey said.

“Yeah, I agree with Paul, I don’t know enough about the subject to talk about it,” Kokrak said. “But, as Paul said, change is happening. I’ve been there several times and can’t say anything else. Change is happening.”

Howell said he had never been to Saudi Arabia, but added: “I’m excited to go.”

“Being a sports fan, I believe sports can be a force for good and change,” Howell said. “Example in Saudi Arabia, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton speaks out on these issues. We are talking about these issues right now and today. This is the first step for change. I believe golf can, will and is a force for change and good, and that is why I am sitting here.

This story appeared on the New York Post.