Portland Locals Wary of LIV Golf’s U.S. Debut

LIV Golf makes its U.S. debut this week at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Oregon, and locals aren’t happy.

Officials from surrounding cities and North Plains Mayor Teri Lenahan wrote to the club’s owner, Escalante Golf, about their concerns with hosting the Saudi-backed league — a country that has been accused of a variety of human rights abuses. 

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden has also spoken out against the tournament, which will see a $20 million prize purse for individuals and $5 million for teams. A number of PGA Tour members including Bryson DeChambeau and Matthew Wolff will make their LIV Golf debut, joining Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.

The event will prohibit fans from displaying any political signs.

“It’s just a page out of the autocrats’ playbook covering up injustices by misusing athletics in hopes of normalizing their abuses,” Wyden said.

U.S. authorities also believe the Saudi government helped arrange a fake passport and a jet to Saudi student Abdulrahman Sameer Noorah, who was facing a trial on first-degree murder charges following the hit-and-run death of Fallon Smart in Oregon six years ago.

Some Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club members are boycotting the club in response to the disappearance. North Plains is home to around 3,400 people.