Norman’s comments on Khashoggi killing criticized
Greg Norman’s brushing off of Jamal Khashoggi’s killing as a “mistake” has been condemned by the fiancee of the late Washington Post columnist.
The former No. 1 golfer is leading a series of Saudi Arabia-funded tournaments in England and has come under criticism for his comments about Khashoggi’s gruesome death on Oct. 2, 2018, at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
“Look, we’ve all made mistakes and you just want to learn by those mistakes and how you can correct them going forward,” the 67-year-old
Norman said Wednesday at an event to promote the tournaments.
The Australian noted “the good that the country is doing in changing its culture.”
Khashoggi, who had written critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had gone into the consulate to collect documents required for him to marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, and never came out.
Cengiz told the Telegraph newspaper on Thursday that Norman’s comments were “so hurtful.”
“Would you say that if it was your loved one? How can we go forward when those who ordered the
murder are still unpunished, and continue to try to buy back their legitimacy?“Cengiz said. “We should not fall for their wealth and lies, and lose
our morals and common humanity.”
Turkish officials said Khashoggi was killed and dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate by a team of Saudi agents. His remains have not been found.
ELSEWHERE
PGA TOUR
Sebastian Munoz shot a 12-under 60 in the opening round of the Byron Nelson on Thursday in McKinney, Texas, to become the first player in PGA Tour history with two rounds of 60 or better in the same season.
Munoz also had a 60 in the opening round of the the RSM Classic at Seaside in Georgia in November.
PGA CHAMPIONS
Steve Stricker shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to take a two-stroke lead over Miguel Angel Jimenez and Wes Short Jr. after the opening round of the Regions Tradition, the first of five PGA Tour Champions majors.
Stricker, the 2019 champion, closed his bogey-free round with a birdie on No. 18 at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham, Ala.
LPGA TOUR
Madelene Sagstrom shot a flawless 9-under 63 to take one-stroke lead over Megan Khang after the first round of the Cognizant Founders Cup on Thursday.
Nasa Hataoka was third after a 65 on the Upper Montclair Country Club course, roughly 10 miles from New York City.