11 July 2023 , 18:51
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A whole host of rejected proposals from the deal between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund have emerged, after the two organisations announced a shock agreement last month.
The deal will see the PGA Tour work alongside LIV Golf, after the two circuits had been at war for 12 months following the latter's inception last June. On the back of the announcement, details on how the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and the DP World Tour would operate remained unclear.
Following the deal, the U.S. Senate called on representatives involved to appear at a hearing in front of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which took place on Tuesday.
The subcommittee have made the decision to investigate the PGA Tour's plans, amid the connections to Saudi Arabia. Following Tuesday's hearing further details on what could potentially come next for professional golf emerged. Amid the hearing, initial proposals previously put forward in the negotiation stages. were also revealed
From the role of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, to the uncertain future of LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman, here are six proposals that were suggested and subsequently rejected in the report.
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World Golf Series
Much has been said about the how the schedules of all three tours would operate under the new entity named 'NewCo'. Per initial negotiations it appears as well as the usual running of the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf, the idea of a 'World Golf Series' was also put forward.
The series would be conducted as a team championship - presumably on the back of LIV's team aspect success - and would conclude with a final event in the Middle East.
LIV Golf's future
One of the biggest question marks surrounding the deal was the future of LIV Golf, with the framework agreement outlining that the 'NewCo' board - including PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan - would make the final decision.
And there was a promising update for the breakaway circuit's fans, with the document propsoing that LIV would continue to operate as an independent tour and stick to its usual schedule. While it appears it will be business as usual, LIV Golf it could well have been without one big name.
Greg Norman's LIV Golf future looks uncertain (Sarah Reed/Getty Images)Greg Norman cut?
One man who has been central to LIV Golf's rise over the past 12 months is Greg Norman, but it appears there were plans for the bullish CEO to be sacked from his role. According to email negotiations, NewCo bosses had suggested to remove Norman from his post.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy LIV offer
Whilst one big name could have been on the way out, plans were proposed to welcome two more. In the document it claimed that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were to be offered the chance to take ownership of a LIV Golf team, as well as compete on the breakaway circuit.
This will come as a shock to many, with both McIlroy and Woods having been arguably two of LIV's biggest critics in the past year. Notably the PGA Tour duo had both previously called on Norman to be removed from the picture for the circuit's to work harmoniously, with McIlroy claiming the Australian should 'exit stage left' when discussing the matter late last year.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have been offered the chance to join LIV Golf (Getty Images)Non-disparagement clause emerges
During the hearing, the senate revealed a non-disparagement clause had been signed on the eve of the framework agreement. Whilst they are not uncommon, the clause is enforced to stop the PGA Tour making 'defamatory or disparaging' in regard to PIF, Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record and sportswashing claims.
Reiterating that the PGA Tour will not stop their players from expressing their minds in regard to the deal, Tour board member Ron Price told the Senate: "I can tell you that under the framework agreement the players are absolutely free to speak their mind."
Saudi boss earns Augusta membership
It is common knowledge in the world of golf that membership at the iconic Augusta National is only offered to a select few, but it appears PIF governor Al-Rumayyan was keen to earn an invite. Included in the original discussions, is a proposal that the Saudi national was to be given an Augusta National membership as part of the agreement between PIF and the PGA Tour.
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