European Tour CEO Keith Pelley confirmed the Tour has no concerns or reservations in next year staging the inaugural Saudi International in Saudi Arabia.
Pelley, who has been at the helm of golf’s second-largest Tour for a decade, was quizzed Saturday during this week’s Turkish Airlines Open if the Tour was concerned given the continuing worldwide controversy over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
On Friday (Nov 2nd) a WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) match went ahead despite serious encouragement to cancel their Saudi show. In fact, two of the WWEs biggest stars in John Cena and Daniel Bryan were written out of the show, reportedly as they refused to attend in protest of Khashoggi’s murder.
European Tour CEO Keith Pelley.
The Saudi International appears on the 2019 European Tour International schedule released earlier this week and is to be staged from January 31st to February 2nd on the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club course at King Abdullah Economic City
“The Tour has been asked over the past couple of weeks about travelling to Saudi Arabia, and you know Saudi Arabia is on our schedule for 2019 following the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic,” said Pelley.
“They will be three strong events in the Middle East along with the Oman Open later in February and to be followed by the Qatar Masters a week later, and like many global companies we monitor the situation in the areas, the countries and places in where we play and the viability of the golf tournament.
“I can simply say the Saudi International is on our schedule and I cannot add more than that and with the Ras Al Khalmah Challenge Tour Grand Final also taking place this week in the UAE and with the DP World Championship on the main tour coming-up next fortnight, it is very important to the European Tour.
The stunning-looking Royal Greens G & CC.
“We are have heard some of the criticism of the region and with freedom of speech far more available now based on social media. We have heards and we have listened and will continue to monitor any situation.”
Pelley, however, was asked if the Tour had been in direct contact or heard formally from either the Saudi Arabian Government and/or organisers of the Saudi International over the incidents in the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Istanbul.
“I’ll answer that in saying we will and continue to monitor the situation of all the events on our schedule, and the Saudi International is on our schedule for 2019.”
Pelley indicated he had also not spoken or heard from any European Tour player expressing concern or questioning the decision to contest the Saudi International.
