[PHOTO: Ross Parker – SNS Group]
Fans longing for an end to pro golf’s civil war are thirsty for any signs that the protracted negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf’s financial backer, are making progress. It’s why PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan playing in the same pairing during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland in early October got so much publicity. The fact the two were together seemed to suggest that discussions remained ongoing.
In the same vein, news that Monahan has been in Saudi Arabia this week at a summit run by Al-Rumayyan would appear to be another indicator talks are, potentially, continuing. Golf Digest has confirmed what was first reported by Bunkered.co.uk, that Monahan, along with a few other PGA Tour “team members”, has been in attendance at the Future Investment Initiative (FII), an annual conference run by the PIF in Riyadh. Presumably, Monahan and Al-Rumayyan have been able to meet at some point.
Additionally, Bunkered is reporting that the two will be together at a night-time pro-am outing in conjunction with the Aramco Ladies Team Series Event that’s taking place this week in Saudi Arabia as well. According to Bunkered, Monahan and Al-Rumayyan are expected to play together in the outing, with LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman also in attendance.
At the opening of the FII conference, Al-Rumayyan made news by announcing that the PIF would be reducing the amount spent on international investments to focus more resources on the domestic economy. What that means for the PIF’s involvement with LIV Golf or in the future with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour if it were to become a partner in PGA Tour Enterprises, is unclear. The Financial Times has reported that Al-Rumayyan’s pledge is in regards to future spending and that ongoing investments would not be impacted.
Exactly where things stand regarding a possible PGA Tour/PIF deal remain very much unclear. Monahan would not comment on the state of the negotiations when meeting with the media after playing at the Dunhill Links; he’s said previously he does not want to negotiate in the media.
Both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are moving ahead with their own separate schedules for 2025. LIV has announced the first four events it will be holding next year with the remainder of its 14-tournament schedule expected to be announced by year’s end.
