Lee Westwood has defended the highly controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series, with the former world number one confirming he has requested his release from both the PGA and DP World Tours in order to play in the event.
The series is financed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) and has been the subject of plenty of criticism, with the event widely viewed as the latest example of Saudi sportswashing given the nation's poor human rights record.
However, Westwood has defended his involvement in the event, claiming Saudi Arabia are "trying to improve" through their investment in sport and that they are doing so "a lot quicker than some countries". He also claimed the event is "coming under more scrutiny" than other sports with links to Saudi Arabia, citing PIF's partial ownership of Newcastle United, the Saudi Grand Prix and high-profile boxing bouts which have been held in the nation.
