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‘This Is Uncomfortable’: Saudi Arabia Upends Genteel World of Pro Golf

By promising top players multimillion-dollar paydays to join its new series, the oil-rich kingdom is attempting what amounts to a hostile takeover of a lucrative sport.

Phil Mickelson is one of the prize catches for the new LIV Golf Invitational Series. He reportedly is receiving $200 million to take part.Credit...Paul Childs/Action Images Via Reuters

LONDON — The golf champions were settled in their chairs at a news conference to promote their new Saudi Arabia-financed tournament when a reporter raised the uncomfortable question of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.