The European Tour have been accused of turning a blind eye to an "abhorrent, reprehensible regime" by staging an event in Saudi Arabia, with top players also coming in for criticism.
The inaugural Saudi International, which gets under way on Thursday, has attracted a star-studded field despite the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year in the Saudi consulate in Turkey focusing further attention on the country's regime.
England's Paul Casey confirmed on Friday that human rights violations were behind his decision not to compete at the Royal Greens Country Club, but four of the world's top five and the likes of Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter are due to contest the £2.6 million event.
Golf Channel analyst and former PGA Tour professional Brandel Chamblee said: "I'm a big fan of the European Tour, a big fan of (chief executive) Keith Pelley. I think they take chances.
"Politically I get why you have to capitulate to Saudi Arabia and maybe from a business standpoint even, but a more definitive personal rebuke can be shown to the PR stunt of this regime by not participating, by refusing to participate, because your participation in some way enriches this regime.
"By non-participation of the athletes in general, you can in some marginal way - and I applaud Paul Casey - make a statement about human rights. Whether the European Tour knows it, whether the players know it, by participating they are a ventriloquist for this abhorrent, reprehensible regime."
The European Tour had no comment to make about Chamblee's criticism but chief executive Pelley attempted to deflect concerns when the event was confirmed as part of the 2019 schedule in November.
"We have heard some of the criticism of the region, we have listened and will continue to monitor the situation," he said. "We have had no dialogue with our partners, our own government, the golf federation or anyone from Saudi Arabia."
European Tour faces attack over Saudi Arabian sojourn
