Former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell said he regrets even speaking about his decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series after receiving messages on social media from people telling him to "go die."
Speaking ahead of the inaugural event in London last month, McDowell had said the circuit was "polarizing" but that he was proud to be part of it.
The $255 million series is being bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which critics say is a vehicle for the country to improve its image in the face of criticism of its human rights record.
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