LIV chief called to appear in front of Senate as PGA Tour provide merger update
The U.S. Senate have once again called on Saudi governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan to testify following the deal between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
On the back of the framework agreement the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations is delving into the deal that will see the PGA Tour work alongside rivals LIV Golf with the backing of PIF. Earlier this month two Tour representatives appeared before the Senate in board member Jimmy Dunne and Chief Operating Officer Ron Price.
Defending their move, Dunne told the the subcommittee led by Senator Richard Blumenthal that the PGA Tour feared they would be 'destroyed' by the growth of their LIV rivals, and had no option but to align with PIF.
The board member said: "My fear is if we don’t get to an agreement, they are already putting billions of dollars into golf. They have a management team that wants to destroy the tour. And even though you could say they [only] take five or six players a year, they have an unlimited horizon and an unlimited amount of money.
"It isn’t like the product is better, it is just that there is a lot more money that will make people move. I am concerned if we do nothing, they will end up owning golf." Blumenthal also called on LIV representatives Greg Norman and Al-Rumayyan to appear before the subcommittee, but both were unable due to their schedules.
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In the weeks since, the Senate has once again asked Al-Rumayyan to make an appearance. According to Golf Channel, Blumenthal has contacted the Saudi governor's representatives at least twice since the initial hearing on July 11, but are yet to receive a reply.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan is yet to appear in front of the subcommittee (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)In a letter, the Senator wrote: "While the subcommittee’s July 11, 2023, hearing revealed important information regarding the framework agreement between PGA Tour and PIF, the subcommittee requires additional information to understand PIF’s future role in American professional golf and its plans for other investments in U.S.-based entities.”
Al-Rumayyan's partner in the deal, Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, has returned to his role having taking a step back due to medical reasons in recent weeks. On his return, Monahan has provided a much-needed update to his playing members, which includes Tour loyalists receiving compensation, as well as a potential route back for LIV players.
In a player memo, the commissioner confirmed there would be a 'Player Benefit Program' for those who remained on the circuit, as well as a 'Player Discipline task force' which will manage had rebel players can reapply for membership.
He wrote: "Two key components of our work towards a definitive agreement centre on the Player Benefit Program and Player Discipline (for those LIV players who may endeavour to reapply for membership), and we are making steady progress toward a recommendation on each of those elements."
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