LIV poaching policy shows Saudis are done waiting in the wings for PGA Tour

23 December 2023 , 10:00

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The Saudis are continuing to assert their dominance in golf (Image: Charlie Crowhurst/LIV Golf/Getty Images)

Back in June, after the PGA Tour announced a peace treaty with its Saudi Arabian rivals, it appeared the dark cloud that had descended over professional golf for over a year was beginning to part

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan revealed plans of a 'framework agreement' alongside Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan, that would bring to an end the civil war between the Tour and LIV Golf. Six months on - and with a deadline fast approaching - the idea of peace still seems a long way away.

On the back of the framework announcement on June 6, PIF - who have bankrolled LIV to the top of the pro golf pyramid - appeared keen to work in unison with the PGA Tour, a position they had always longed for, even before the formation of LIV.

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Speaking with CNBC alongside Monahan in June, Al-Rumayyan pledged to pump 'billions of dollars' into the game of golf, all whilst the PGA Tour would keep control of their own governance. For the Tour it appeared to be the perfect deal, but after exploring other branches of investment from elsewhere, Monahan and co may well have put their foot into it.

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Earlier this month, the PGA Tour revealed that they had reached an agreement with U.S.-based investor Strategic Sports Group (SSG) to be a part of their new enterprise. Meanwhile negotiations with the Saudis - that have been going on for six months - are still 'continuing'. These negotiations go on behind closed doors, so it remains to be seen which side is dragging their feet, but it would be unsurprising to see both pointing the finger at each other.

From the outset it appeared the power was firmly in the hands of the PGA Tour. They were the ones sitting at the head of the table, and had been for some time, however one aspect they may well have underestimated is the power of the Saudi riches. PIF have muscled their way to the top in football, Formula 1 and boxing, and have not let much stop them in their way.

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LIV Golf have poached one of the PGA Tour's biggest names in Jon Rahm

Now it seems this is the plan in golf, something the PGA Tour may well need to be wary of. Despite being soon-to-be partners, LIV were able to poach one of the American-based circuit's most prized possessions in Masters champion Jon Rahm earlier this month.

Earlier this year it was revealed that the PGA Tour and PIF had agreed to implement a 'no poaching policy' when it came to signing players from either tour, a notion that was soon removed after concerns from the U.S. Justice Department. Having made the attempt to initially implement the rule, it appeared there may well have been some mutual respect when it came to the signing of players - for the sake of the agreement.

This is clearly not the case anymore though. After landing their biggest coup yet in the way of Rahm, LIV and their Saudi backers were not done there, having reportedly approached the likes of Tony Finau, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg to add to their ranks.

All four have decided not to follow in the mega-money footsteps of Rahm - for now - but the warning signs are clearly there for Tour bosses. It appears that the longer the so-called 'agreement' negotiations go on, the more the Saudi fund are becoming frustrated with the time it is taking to make their way to the top of the tree.

If their player recruitment policy is anything to go by, PIF look to be done waiting and are happy to knock over their PGA Tour partners if it means asserting their power. The PGA Tour has found itself at the top of the pyramid for some time, and the help of PIF would only strengthen that position if the framework agreement plans are anything to go by.

But with patience clearly wearing thin, and their December 31 deadline to sign off the deal rapidly approaching, it would come as no surprise to see the Saudis ramp up their efforts to strengthen their LIV Golf product at the expense of the PGA Tour.

Joshua Lees