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Golf fans furiously debate wild PGA Tour-PIF report

Umito November 3, 2024

Golf fans furiously wonder if lightning struck between the PGA Tour and the Saudi backers of LIV Golf.

The Sun The newspaper reports that the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are set to announce a deal worth £1 billion.

If such a deal were to be ratified, it would end hostilities in elite men’s football which began with LIV’s noisy introduction to the sport in 2022.

The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF announced last June that they would attempt to combine commercial interests with the rollout of the “framework agreement.”

Those involved in the negotiations have remained tight-lipped about what was discussed.

And there have even been reports of high-profile players such as Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay signing on to a PIF deal.

It is also understood that some LIV players do not want a deal.

Tiger wood

There was speculation the deal was dead after for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises announced a cash infusion of more than $1 billion from Strategic Sports Group earlier this year.

Yet the powers that be insisted the deal was still on the table, despite scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department.

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy, who has been pushing for a deal since the aforementioned framework agreement was announced, suggested ahead of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth that there was a possibility the DP World Tour could put end its links with the PGA Tour and partner of the PIF.

The Sun report that the Saudi PIF would take an 11 percent stake in the North American circuit and serve as president.

Naturally, the report sparked a huge debate online, with some claiming the report was just a cobbler.

Here is a reaction:

“The Sun is like the National Enquirer. I wouldn’t believe it if they said the sky was blue.”

“If that happens, and I have my doubts, LIV for $1.3 billion might get 11 percent, but what do they actually get? Private shares, no majority stake, they get two minority seats on the board. board. This seems like a desperate measure because they know they have failed miserably. No future LIV.

“If this is true, it’s time! I want to see my favorite players back at PGA Tour events. I also appreciate the innovations LIV is bringing to the game! Good news for all parties.”

“Why create LIV as a rival to the PGAT and then come back under the PGA Tour? Would LIV golfers be able to play PGA Tour events without qualifying? Would LIV get OWGR points without changing their current format?”