04/19/24
June 06, 2023
PGA Tour Merges with LIV Golf, DP World Tour: In a deal reached without the knowledge of many of their golfers, the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and DP World Tour are merging into a single organization. The particulars released so far are vague but Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will be the new entity's "exclusive investor" and its fund governor joins the PGA Tour policy board. An unnamed PGA golfer whose name probably rhymes with Corey Spackelroy told ESPN, "It's insanity. The LIV tour was dead in the water. It wasn't working. Now, you're throwing them a life jacket? Is the moral of the story to just always take the money?"
Now the PGA is just as rotten with Saudi money as LIV.
posted by rcade at 03:30 PM on June 06, 2023
The prominent PGA players who stood firm and upheld the tour must feel utterly betrayed.
The secrecy and blindsiding accompanying the negotiations and decision are beyond reprehensible.
Does this mean that tour players can now carry scimitars in their bag for when they hit into deep rough or their caddy displeases them?
No doubt Donald is already working the phones trying to get more events steered to his properties.
Are there any hedge fund honchos out there who want to say fuck the new PGA and start their own tour?
posted by beaverboard at 04:32 PM on June 06, 2023
Gross.
Outside of a few dramatic Sunday afternoons over the years I've never much cared for golf, but this undoubtedly sucks for the players that took the high ground and (at least some percentage of) fans. Club soccer has never been a huge part of my sports fandom, but I was kind of surprisingly bummed the first time I said out loud "well, I used to call myself a Newcastle supporter until...". I hate to see another pin - any pin - fall in this direction.
I was curious about how this might affect the LPGA, but from what I can tell they're an entirely independent organization. I wonder if they might make that a little more clear to try to fend off any perception of guilt by association.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:19 PM on June 06, 2023
Details of the merger are now being released.
Apparently the PGA will still control holes 1 - 8 and 12 - 18, while Saudi Arabia will be responsible for 9 - 11.
/Too soon?
posted by owlhouse at 11:34 PM on June 06, 2023
We should also mention that the PGA will control the greens and fairways while the Saudis are in charge of the second cut.
posted by beaverboard at 11:45 PM on June 06, 2023
This just in:
US golf commentators will no longer refer to course hazards as "bunkers".
They will henceforth once again be called "sand traps".
Of course, when Tour events are held at Trump properties, the sand traps will be called "bunkers".
It's a proper adjustment. More like the Fuhrer, less like Rommel.
posted by beaverboard at 11:52 PM on June 06, 2023
Isn't it fitting that the PGA's press release was issued without prior warning on a Tuesday?
It's the day of the week that was specifically targeted by Mohamed Atta and his fellow hijackers as they researched and prepared for their Sept. 11 mission.
posted by beaverboard at 11:14 AM on June 07, 2023
As a non-golf fan, I don't care overly much one way or the other about this. But I'd like to know where all of the people moralizing about this now have been with regards to the NBA and China.
posted by TheQatarian at 06:42 PM on June 07, 2023
I was curious about how this might affect the LPGA
Well, it was only very recently that women in Saudi Arabia were permitted to drive...
/I'll see myself out
posted by owlhouse at 12:04 AM on June 08, 2023
Will this bring new meaning to "36-hole cut?"
posted by jjzucal at 05:51 PM on June 08, 2023
I have to admit, I'm shocked at this development. Not really sure how it's all going to work, but we'll see.