23 August 2023 , 10:46
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Xander Schauffele has admitted he still has 'no idea' about the PGA Tour 's ongoing negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
In June the PGA Tour confirmed it had reached a groundbreaking framework agreement with PIF, that would see them work in unison with their now former rivals LIV Golf, as well as the DP World Tour. In the weeks that have followed, details on the deal have remained sparse.
The lack of updates has cast doubt in the minds of a number of Tour players, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler who revealed this month that the Tour still has a 'long way to go' in completing a deal with PIF.
It appears communication between the powers that be and players has been minimal, with the Tour's Player Advisory Council chairman Adam Scott admitting even he had been 'left in the dark' when it came to the American-based circuit's plans with the Saudi group. Ahead of this week's Tour Championship, commissioner Jay Monahan attempted to give some update on what lies ahead.
Monahan claimed the two parties have held 'frequent talks' since the agreement was announced two months ago. Questioned on whether he felt a deal would be done by January 1, he responded: "We're confident that we're going to reach a positive outcome for the PGA Tour.
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"And as it relates to reason not to believe or believe, you know, at this point, given what Tyler [Dennis, PGA Tour COO] just outlined and what I said, no, I don't have any reason to think that we won't be successful." Whilst it seems the deal between the Tour and PIF is beginning to take shape, Olympic champion Schauffele still appears to be out the loop. Asked on what he knows on the back of the commissioner's comments, he said: "I mean, I'm very certain that I know very little.
Xander Schaufele discussed the PGA Tour's deal with PIF (Getty Images)"Which means I don't know a lot. I honestly, I have no idea what's been going on." Schauffele went on to add that his focus is on his efforts on the course at this week's season finale at East Lake, rather than the saga that is going on off it. The American was one a number of players to question the Tour's decision to join forces with PIF, admitting in June that there was a feeling of 'betrayal' between playing members on the back of the announcement.
Two months on though, it appears Monahan feels he has his stars back on side. "So I think players are now saying, 'okay, I understand what we're trying to accomplish and why we've taken this step. I understand the confidential nature of what we're dealing with and how you plan to handle that within the governance'.
"And at this point, I think players are focused on their play and they know, you know, as we move forward, and certainly as we move towards the end of the year, there's a responsibility, an expectation, from them towards me and the team that, you know, we're going to be in a position to communicate a positive outcome for the PGA Tour."