At LIV Golf, the Saudi controversy stops at the Pumpkin Ridge gate
Inside Pumpkin Ridge’s gates, and outside the media center, there has been hardly any talk of the Twin Towers, Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, Fallon Smart. No one’s discussing sharia law’s treatment of Christians or homosexuals or women. The players have been clear in their justification for being here: I’m here to play golf and entertain the fans. The fans on-site—LIV wouldn’t disclose the number, but this writer’s very rough estimate has it somewhere in the 3,000 range, with more expected on the weekend, but not too much more, for LIV capped the number largely due to security concerns—wanted to watch the golf, and they wanted to be entertained. There were fathers and sons. Couples, young and old. Families with young children. And the relative scarcity of people made the viewing experience rather enjoyable. Everyone could see. Hardly any lines at concession stands and food trucks.
