All frauds. All frauds are united now in one thing: making money.
It didn’t matter in the end to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, that the money was coming from a Saudi Arabian country that treats human rights as an inconvenience. In fact, the history and tradition of the PGA Tour didn’t really matter to those who argued LIV Golf as an unserious, unworthy rival whose guaranteed cash and 54-hole tournaments mocked competition.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund and Greg Norman did not care about the growth of the game. They wanted it to be theirs. Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the owner of the PGA Tour has now brought it to you.
They sold out. Professional golf will never again be the same.
You can hear those private jets, even more luxurious ones, humming and clapping as they fly around. They were paid for by Saudi oil. Why not?
Monahan spoke out in front of the entire world a year ago and said that how Saudi Arabia treats gays, women and journalists should be a factor in the decision to accept the LIV invitation with its guaranteed payout.
I would like to ask any players that have left the PGA Tour or who would be considering leaving: Have you ever apologized for being a PGA Tour member?
Today? Today?
“We’re pleased to be moving forward in line with LIV and PIF’s world-class investment experience. I applaud PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s vision and collaborative, forward-thinking, approach, which is not only a solution for the rift in our games, but also an commitment to take it to new levels.”
Experience world-class investing? Do we mean the future of professional golf or Vandalay Industries shares?
The PGA Tour announced a merger in its Tuesday announcement. On paper, this looks more like an hostile takeover.
At this time, we don’t have all the details and can’t say what exactly it means for golfers. The immediate reaction on social media by PGA Tour golfers shows that the decision was taken out of the blue, and above their pay grade.
“There’s nothing like discovering through Twitter that we are merging with a touring group that we had said we would never do this with,” said world No. 67 Mackenzie Hughes said.
Will the three companies continue to be separate while doing business together? Will players be able to choose which tour they wish to play in any given week at their whim? Or will the merger create a world-trotting tour of the best pro golfers that regularly brings them to Australia, Asia and Europe?
What does it mean for your local tournament that attracted thousands of tourists for a long weekend? What does this mean for the television rights? Does this mean that fans will be forced to watch more of LIV’s endlessly boring team competition?
The New York Times reports that the Justice Department is investigating Donald Trump’s handling of classified information, and his ties to LIV are part of this investigation. Trump, who is currently preparing for his third presidential bid, will undoubtedly be the one to claim credit for the reunification his favorite sport.
This is a solution which may have some positive effects for both players and fans. The details will be so horrendous that you would need to drink a whole bottle of Maalox to make it through the day.
The PGA Tour is undoubtedly the most convenient outcome. Saudi Arabia could use LIV’s unlimited resources to wreak havoc with antitrust lawsuits that would cost a fortune, and even worse, they could poach more stars, like Brooks Koepka.
The PGA Tour would have to dip into its reserves to maintain peace or ask sponsors for additional funds to do so.
Perhaps Monahan’s employer and Monahan saw a fight that was never ending, with no clear way to win. Maybe they got tired of fighting.
In less than a calendar year, Saudi Arabia went from being a disruptive force to a total capitulation, which ruined the moral high ground of the PGA Tour. They now control professional golf from top to bottom. Everyone else is along for the ride, as was likely the intention all along.
