Greg Norman
Greg Norman spent more than 300 weeks as world number one in the 1980s and 90s

Greg Norman told reporters that "we've all made mistakes" as he answered questions about Saudi Arabia's human rights record and the murder of a dissident journalist.

The first of eight events in the new $255m Saudi-funded competition will take place in London in June.

At an event to promote the new LIV Golf series, golf was not on the agenda, with the majority of questions centered around the murder of Saudi Arabian journalist, and the accusations of sports washing.

Everybody has owned up to it, right? said Norman, who is LIV Golf's chief executive. From what I have read, it has been said. No matter what it is, take ownership.

We have all made mistakes and you just want to learn from them and how to correct them in the future.

According to US media reports, the CIA concluded with high confidence that the Saudi crown prince ordered the killing of the journalist.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund provides money for many sporting events, including Formula 1, boxing, football and golf.

Norman, who won two Open Championships and spent more than 300 weeks as world number one in the 1980s and 90s, said on Tuesday that he had secured an extra $2 billion from PIF that would allow his LIV Golf plans to stretch for decades.

Norman said he would have no problem with players speaking out about human rights issues if they joined his series.

He said that every player has the right to their opinion and voice.

This whole thing about Saudi Arabia and the way it handles its citizens, talk about it, but also about the good the country is doing to change its culture.

There are not many countries that can be proud of that. There are a lot of countries in this world that have a cross to bear, but they are looking after the younger generation.

Norman has to deal with issues around his backers as well as the PGA Tour not allowing its members to play in his events.

On Tuesday, Norman told the BBC he had five of the world's top 50 committed to the tournament, but the PGA Tour statement countered that, with threats of bans to anyone violating the ruling.

According to reports, the DP World Tour will not allow its members to play in the series because of its partnership with the PGA Tour.

Norman said that LIV Golf had injunctions ready to go if the PGA tried to ban players after denying them releases.

The tournament will be held at the Centurion Club, 30 miles north of London, from 9-11 June.

Norman expects to announce some of the field next week, during the build-up to the US PGA Championship, the second men's major of the year, with the final field set to be confirmed on 27 May.

The players sought permission from the tour to play.

Norman said that they would back up the players. I am not going to begrudge a player who wants to play wherever he wants. We believe that LIV is here for a long period of time and so we are giving them the ability.

If you want to only go to the PGA Tour, go for it. A lot of people will eventually play with LIV Golf.

I told the players that we had their back, simple as that. We will defend, we will reimburse and we will represent.

Norman said there will be eight invitational events in 2022, with more to follow in the following years.

The first seven tournaments will have a prize fund of $25m, with $4m going to the winner, and a $50m prize pot for the final event.

Even if the world's best players didn't like it, Norman insisted he could make a success of it.

When asked if Tiger Woods orRory McIlroy would enhance his proposition, Norman said "We don't need them."

If no of the top 20 come, it is still going ahead.

Imagine if a kid from Asia won the first event. He is the next superstar. That would be the greatest moment in golf because it shows the next generation.

Norman claims to have tried to speak with Jay Monahan about how the two could work shoulder to shoulder, but claims to have had no response.

In March, at the PGA Tour's flagship Players Championship, Monahan said he would not be distracted by rumors of other golf leagues.

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