Norway’s biggest golf star has been have to answer on a number of questions about the Saudi-funded LIV tour recently, but without NRK’s sports commentator being impressed.
Hovland has admittedly said that he is not interested in playing in the very controversial golf league, but Jan Petter Saltvedt has missed non-sporting reasons from the 24-year-old.
– It is simply extremely problematic that Hovland, as a basically outstanding representative of a new generation of Norwegian sports stars and far too many young people, should play turtle and withdraw into its shell in the most open and inflamed conflict in international sports for the moment, says Saltvedt.
The sports commentator acknowledges that the golf session has said that he will not report a transition to LIV.
– But has not completely ruled out the possibility, if it should suddenly be defended for sporting reasons. Why can he not just give us a clear answer as to whether playing on the LIV tour is irrelevant once and for all or not?
Hovland in no way agrees with the criticism that he has not taken a clear enough position.
– I feel I have done it, then, says Hovland to NRK after a charity tournament in Stokke on Friday.
– Dit’s not like we’re good guys
There are several profiles that have already left the traditional PGA Tour in favor the sugar-rich Saudi league, which is considered a very controversial innovation. The country has a very bad reputation when it comes to human rights.
Hovland still believes that the media presents it all in black and white.
STATED: Viktor Hovland.
Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB
–
– I think you in the media make it very simplistic. I have no interest in playing for the people over there. But it is not the case that we are “good guys” and those over there are “bad guys”, he says.
– In what way has the media misunderstood?
– Without going too far into it, the PGA does a lot of business in China – it’s obviously fine. Many of their sponsors invest a lot of money in Saudi Arabia, and that money goes to players and local communities in the United States. It’s a difficult question, but it’s not as black and white as one might think. If you had found pure money everywhere, it would have been good, that, says Hovland.
He reiterates that he has no plans to leave the PGA Tour in favor of the innovation.
– The truth is that I have no plans to play there (LIV), Hovland says to NRK.
– But do you distance yourself from LIV?
– Yes, I do when I continue to play on the PGA Tour. I do not have to write an essay about every decision I make. I have plans to play PGA in the future, easily and simply.
– Not people I want to play for
Saltvedt believes that Hovland has a more important role than he expresses, and that he should take on that role.
– He has played in Saudi Arabia before under the guise of not wanting to care about politics. Unfortunately, this is not how the world of sports in general looks anymore – and least of all golf, whether it wanted to or not, points out The NRK commentator.
When asked whether Hovland is concerned that Saudi Arabia is controversial due to human rights violations, he answers the following:
– It’s not ideal. These are not people I want to play for.
– If more and more competitors switch to LIV, is it then the case that you almost have to go that route to play at the level you want?
– You have to think a little, then. If all the best in the world play in the same league, and I will. I want to show myself as a golfer and play against the best in the world. Then there is a possibility, but I believe and hope that it does not go that way.
Saltvedt is happy to hear how Hovland responds to the criticism.
– In these times, I would almost say Hovland came out of the closet about what he basically thinks about the Saudi-sponsored tour. Hovland will be at the PGA, and will be a strong symbol when it comes to the future of the sport of golf and which values will be dominant. Very gratifying to hear such a clear Norwegian superstar, says NRK’s sports commentator.
He is particularly impressed that Hovland takes what he calls a leadership role for how the sport of golf should develop.
– His statements also put a not insignificant pressure on the PGA, which can not easily believe they will get the sympathy in this conflict without taking moral responsibility for their actions, Saltvedt concludes.
–
