Signed into law last month, election legislation imposes new voter identification requirements for absentee ballot boxes, authorizes state officials to take on local election boards, limits the use of ballot boxes and makes it criminal to approach the polls. voters to give them food and water.
“I have to be respectful and a little careful with what I say because I am not a citizen of this country, but I certainly believe that all great countries and democracies are based on equal voting rights and that everyone can go to the polls with the same facility “as possible,” Rory McIlroy, four-time major winner, told reporters Tuesday.
“I’m all for getting people to go out and vote and have a great democracy, and I’ve decided to live in this country because I think this country is the best country in the world. You know, America is the land of opportunity and it’s the dream. American.You work hard, they reward you.So I believe in all this.
“But yes, I am for people who can have the right to vote and who can do so in the simplest way possible.”
The PGA Tour has already said it will not move this year’s Tour Championship to the end of the Atlanta season, scheduled for Sept. 2-5, saying it has a financial commitment to charities and the local community.
Collin Morikawa, winner of the PGA 2020 Championship, praised the work done by PGA and believes that voting law should be the main focus of conversations this week when the eyes of the world watch golf.
“This election material and the voter for American citizens is very important,” he told reporters. “I think that’s the topic we should all be talking about. We shouldn’t be talking about whether we’re here or not. The Masters, the PGA Tour, we’re doing such a good job and we’re trying to help communities and I think that’s our main focus for the week.
“But in general, the issue of voter rights and all that, that should be the issue we’re talking about, not if we’re here playing golf. We’re trying to do everything we can to help communities and obviously go back to the that we are doing for the week, and that is our ability to travel around the world and across the United States and return and give opportunities, as I said earlier.
“These opportunities are really important.”
In response to the new law, which has been widely criticized by voting rights advocates, civil rights groups and private companies in the state, Major League Baseball announced that it would move the 2021 star game from Atlanta to Denver, Colorado.
Cameron Champ, one of golf’s brightest prospects and a two-time Tour winner, says the new law is “shocking” and “frustrating”.
“As you can tell, it’s really aimed at certain black communities and makes it harder to vote, which for me is everyone’s right to vote,” he said. “For me to see that, it’s very shocking. Obviously, with MLB and what they did and moved the All-Star Game was a big statement. I know there are a lot of other organizations and companies that have moved things.
“Again, it’s a prestigious event and I know there are a lot of things going on with it and the people involved. But again, yes, it was definitely a little frustrating to see it. This week, definitely helping to do some things throughout the week. “
US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau added that diversity and inclusion are “incredibly important” to golf.
“I think the most important thing we can do is treat everyone equally, and I think when I grew up, my dad told me that no matter what, you would treat everyone the way you want to be treated,” he said.
“From my perspective, what happens now, I think you look at Augusta National and the PGA Tour and what we’ve been doing to grow the community, grow the sport and grow the charities we’re able to return to. .
“I think it’s one of the most important things we have to look at and start looking at this tournament and this championship as a positive light for the community, a positive light for the world and an opportunity to show people the great entertainment we can provide the world. I think that’s one of the most important things. “
Dianne Gallagher and Paul LeBlanc contributed to this report.