When life gives you lemons, strike it with a hole-in-one. That’s exactly what the PGA tour did when they saw a “green opportunity.”
On 6th June, Tuesday, the executives announced a merger, leaving Golf fans perplexed at the Sportswashing decision. Here are all the facts and updates about the merger that will change the course of Golf in the USA.
Are LIV and PGA Merging?
As of Tuesday, it is confirmed that LIV and PGA are merging.
The PGA tour that birthed some legendary golf players for generations was a sentiment for the fans. The first traces of this organization established by the Professional Golfer’s Association dates back to 1916, becoming a widely-celebrated event across America.
On the contrary, LIV debuted in the US just last year. However, this tournament churned in the highest payroll for the players, with the winner taking exorbitant prize money.
Where did LIV originate from? Who is funding such a tremendous amount? Why the merger? Let us find out.
Did LIV Golf Buy the PGA Tour?
The correct term for the LIV Golf and PGA Tour agreement would be “merger.”
LIV Golf is Saudi’s flagship venture into Golf. They introduced this league in the US, bolstered by Public Investment Funds (or just the Oil Money), valued at an estimated $600 Billion. They strategized players poaching with hefty contracts and managed to bag tournament champions from PGA Tour like Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, and Cameron Smith.
While the majority decided to stay loyal to PGA Tour… it certainly backfired on them now.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan revealed that the confidential meeting was held across Europe, the Middle East, and the US. Apparently, the framework of this agreement was decided with their indulging tour in Venice, London, and San Francisco.
There are several clauses in this agreement, but to put this in easy terms–
The LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger will be a new company altogether, with PGA Tour handling the operations but significantly financed by the Saudi government. Fund Governor Yasir al-Rumayyan will be the new company’s chairman.
Monahan had a meeting with the PGA Tour players in Toronto, Canada, describing the rendezvous as “heated.”
Why Did PGA Merge With LIV Golf?
Up until Tuesday morning, Jay Monahan was pretty vocal against LIV Golf being a catalyst to derail one of the world’s oldest games.
Later, he described his meeting with Yasir al-Rumayyan as someone who could put his trust in just after few minutes into their meeting.
The finances are supposedly playing a pivotal role in the merger between PGA Tour and LIV Golf. LIV Golf was earlier endorsed by Donald Trump, whose tweet has since resurfaced. Trump was criticized then for supporting a Saudi-led league.
Some might hate to admit it, but his predictions were right.
What Does the LIV and PGA Merger Mean?
The merger has significant implications for the US Golf scene. The first is that most executive decisions and financial control are now handed over to the Saudi authorities.
From a broader outlook, Americans don’t intend on a cordial relationship with Saudi’s interference in sports, given the long history. It was believed that the 9/11 plane crash perpetrators were mostly Saudis. This decision has hurt the national sentiment, mostly the survivors of the victims of the unfateful day.
The 9/11 Families United chairman, Terry Strada, said–
“The PGA and Monahan appear to have become just more paid Saudi shills, taking billions of dollars to cleanse the Saudi reputation.”
Moreover, the Saudi Government and the Crown Prince were allegedly involved in the killings of Washington Post Journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
What do you think of this merger? Do you support Saudi’s involvement in US ports, be it Formula One or Golf? Do you agree with the support group of 9/11 victims on their statement about this merger?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
