11 July 2023 , 16:34
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Initial negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) suggested the potential for a World Golf Series, as well as sacking Greg Norman from his LIV Golf CEO role.
The PGA Tour shocked the sport last month, after confirming they had reached an agreement with PIF that would see them work in unison with their LIV Golf rivals, as well as the DP World Tour. Following the announcement Tour officials were called to a hearing by the U.S. Senate due to the deal's link to Saudi Arabia.
The investigation is led by the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and the Tour's Chief Operating Officer Ron Price and board member Jimmy Dunne testified in front of the committee on Tuesday.
Following the announcement of the deal on June 6, there has been a whole host of speculation on what the proposed merger means for the sport. Details on the PGA Tour and PIF's plans have since been released via a 276-page document.
Most notably it appears that initial plans did not include LIV Golf's bullish CEO Greg Norman, with calls for the Australian to be 'removed' from his role in charge of the breakaway circuit involved in negotiations. Rumours surrounding Norman's future had circulated, after PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan told CNBC last month that he only informed the former world No. 1 on the deal, just moments before it was released to the public.
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Norman himself has long visioned for a global golf tour, and it appears the powers that be at the PGA Tour and PIF we also looking to fulfil a similar wish As a result, the document also outlines an initial plan to formulate a 'World Golf Series'.
Greg Norman's future at LIV Golf looks in doubt (AP)This would have been held as a team championship, with the series coming to an end in Saudi Arabia. In regard to LIV Golf, the breakaway league is set to continue with its schedule with the hope of two big additions. The report claims golf's two biggest names in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were set to be offered the chance to own a LIV team, and play on the circuit.
Woods and McIlroy have notoriously been two of LIV Golf's strongest critics since its inception last summer. PIF governor Al-Rumayyan also looked to benefit personally from the deal too. As a result it has emerged that the Saudi chief and Newcastle United chairman proposed he was given membership to Augusta National, the home of the Masters Tournament, as part of the negotiations. These proposals were rejected, and failed to make it into the framework agreement.