The LPGA and LET’s relationship with Saudi Oil Company Aramco has come under more and more scrutiny over the past 12 months, and that looks set to continue in the wake of the most recent news.
Nine-time LPGA Tour winner Anna Nordqvist has just ended her relationship with Aramco.
Speaking to TT news agency the 35-year-old said that she didn’t expect the negative backlash she got for her affiliation with the controversial Saudi Arabian company
“I need to think about myself and I haven’t felt good about this. I wasn’t really prepared to get such an incredible amount of hatred and mean comments from people who don’t even know me.”
With the public eye focusing on LIV Golf, it’s not entirely surprising that Nordqvist’s professional relationship with Aramco would be highly scrutinized. The Saudi government has recently invested close to a billion dollars on LIV, and it’s sent a ripple through professional golf.
“It was never about money for me, I wanted to do something for ladies’ golf and especially for the European Tour.”
Nordqvist will still be playing in the PIF Aramco Saudi Ladies International at Royal Greens on February 16.
“I need to get in four tournaments on the European Tour before August because my big goal is to play in the Solheim Cup. I feel it’s important to play all over the world, to influence younger generations to dream big.”
