After sitting side by side on CNBC for two hundred and forty-four days, Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan unveiled a historic “framework agreement” that was to serve as the cornerstone of a new cooperative effort between their organizations.
Now that the PGA Tour has its newly discovered billions, and the PIF has managed to sign top players like Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, DP World Tour Player of the Year Adrian Meronk, and Masters champion Jon Rahm, that new partnership appears to be a pipe dream.
Now, LIV CEO Greg Norman is taking another swing at the golf industry’s glass house by withdrawing LIV’s bid to be listed on the Official World Golf Ranking. In a letter to his players, Norman claimed the OWGR “has shown little willingness to productively work with us.” The LIV management had realized that any concession made by the OWGR would not fairly rank LIV players or give enough weight to their accomplishments in comparison to those on other Tours. Norman’s letter may come out as a little tepid, but at its core, it’s a subtle declaration that Al-Rumayyan is not to back down until LIV and its players are appreciated for what they have and will continue to do for the game of golf. And LIV is getting ready to be around for a very long time.
In an interview with the Times of London, Keith Pelley, the chief executive of the DP World Tour, expressed his conviction that the game will eventually become united, but he acknowledged that the timeline is quite flexible.
“Whether it be in six months, a year, two years or 10 years, I think people are coming to the realization that a collective product is in the best interest of global golf,” Pelley stated. At this point, it’s the only option to sustain growth and prize money. It is unavoidable.”
The ball has been in the PIF and LIV’s court ever since the PGA Tour revealed its $3 billion agreement with the Strategic Sport Group. Al-Rumayyan has minimal need for acquiescence and can wait out practically anyone to get the terms he wants—that is, until he is in charge of a $750 billion fund.
Thus, it doesn’t really help to facilitate an agreement with LIV because the PGA Tour Policy Board feels that its deal puts them in a better position. Simultaneously, the PIF finds confidence in the understanding that the agreements with Rahm, Hatton, and Meronk pave the way for future signings such as Hideki Matsuyama, Viktor Hovland, and other “name” players.
These players might be the final straw that breaks the PGA Tour’s back. On June 6, Monahan stated, “There’s been a lot of tension in our sport over the last couple of years.” However, today’s topic is uniting to make golf a more unified sport. and to carry it out under a single roof.”
It’s evident that Monahan overreached himself, as there has been no indication that a deal is even quite near. But why would one side take the risk when both are content with their current standing?
In order to make sure that LIV players are fairly represented, Norman stated at the end of his letter that LIV still seeks meaningful connection and relationships with each of the Majors.
Joaquin Niemann of LIV has received exemptions to both the Masters and the PGA Championship, suggesting that there may be cracks in the majors’ dam. Though slowly, its authorities are realizing that LIV must be included in the fold.
Furthermore, take note of the fact that Norman mentioned important communications without mentioning the PGA Tour. Players who made the switch to LIV are content with their professional lives and have no interest in returning to the PGA Tour, even though they might want to make a special appearance at the Memorial or Riviera.
Thinking that those former members are dying to return is one of the blunders made by players on the PGA Tour. They aren’t, therefore perhaps Tour players should consider the worth of LIV players’ games and how they could support the substandard fields in non-signature events rather than considering the fines and sanctions that ought to be applied upon a return.
Thus, we must wait now. Monahan will face intense questioning over LIV and the status of the framework deal at the Players Championship next week, but no action seems to be forthcoming.
Next month, the first major of the season will take place in Augusta, where a sizable portion of last year’s leaderboard featured LIV players, and the champion eventually joined them.
The other majors will have to decide how to handle the 54-hole league if a current LIV player wins the Masters, which might hasten LIV’s acceptance. LIV is hankering want that acceptability, and if it materializes, the prospect of a PGA Tour contract will appear even more remote than it already is.
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