Phil Mickelson has raised eyebrows by comparing Saudi Arabia's appalling human rights record with the treatment of players by the PGA Tour.
The six-time Major-winner described the Saudis as "scary motherfuckers", but told Alan Shipnuck their proposed breakaway golf tour is a chance to reshape the sport.
The Super Golf League (SGL) has been courting some of the sport's top names, with 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott among those confirming they've held talks with the controversial league.
Speaking ahead of this week's Genesis Invitational, Rory McIlroy said he wouldn't tarnish his reputation by getting into bed with the Saudis.
But the nature of Mickelson's comments are likely to reverberate beyond golf's pampered bubble.
"They're scary motherfuckers to get involved with," Mickelson is reported to have told Shipnuck for his upcoming biography, Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorised!) Biography of Golf's Most Colourful Superstar.
"We know they killed [journalist, Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights.
"They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.
"They've been able to get by with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics because we, the players, had no recourse.
"As nice a guy as [PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan] comes across as, unless you have leverage, he won't do what's right.
"And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage. I'm not sure I even want [the SGL] to succeed, but just the idea of it is allowing us to get things done with the [PGA] Tour."
Mullin and Ruane return for Mayo’s league showdown with Dublin
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
