The kingdom is driving an aggressive campaign to promote its image as a reformed, socially liberalizing country as a key part of the crown prince's Vision 2030 — an ambitious, multitrillion-dollar plan to modernize the country and end its dependence on oil revenues.Human rights group Amnesty International called the merger "sportswashing at its finest," saying "we must not allow this announcement to overshadow Saudi Arabia's atrocious human rights record.
A demonstrator dressed as Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with blood on his hands protests outside the Saudi Embassy in Washington, DC, on October 8, 2018, demanding justice for missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Fifteen of the 19 hijackers on Sept. 11 were from Saudi Arabia, and U.S. officials concluded that Saudi nationals helped fund the terrorist group al-Qaeda, although investigations did not find that the Saudi officials were complicit in the attacks.
In response to the statement from 9/11 Families United, DeChambeau said of the Saudis, "What they're trying to do ... is to be better allies ... they are trying to do good for the world and showcase themselves in a light that hasn't been seen in awhile, and nobody's perfect but we're all trying to improve in life."
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the G20 Leaders' Summit via videoconference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 30, 2021.Investment banking firm Jeffries wrote in a note Tuesday that "this unexpected agreement holds immense potential to elevate the sport of golf to new heights ... the infusion of capital from PIF signifies a strong commitment to the growth and promotion of golf on a global scale." The PIF's investment figure is not yet publicly known.