It came as no surprise that we got little to no information following the big secret “meeting” in the Bahamas yesterday between PIF, LIV Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and the contingent of PGAT representatives who had verified the event was taking place. Later in the day, we find out Tiger and Yasir had been in this location for at least a few days which means it’s likely those two hashed out all the different points of contention, wants, and visions for the future, and enjoyed some golf, good food and whatever else the uber-wealthy uber famous people on this planet do.
Like Monahan said in his presser “You can’t negotiate this in public” which means we were not likely to get any real information from this secluded gathering. By gathering enough information it’s easy to see that both sides are on very different trajectories. Neither of which matches what the other group wants. So, unless Tiger and Yasir had some seriously down-to-business discussions then it’s likely they just agreed to find a way to coexist for now.
So, what’s next golf fans? For those of you still hanging in there that is. Nobody really knows.
Will There Be a Resolution Between Yasir Al-Rumayyan and PGA?
We keep waiting and hoping that some kind of resolution will happen one that benefits fans and the tours. But it’s not likely. If the concessions discussed in the media are what it takes to bring this situation to an end, then it requires one of these two groups to give up what they have been working towards this whole time. It is hard for me to see the reality of that. LIV is on a warpath to become the global tour leader in golf.
The PGAT is still on a mission to maintain its presence as the elite golf tour where legacy and tradition matter. To maintain that level of existence the PGA must maintain the current OWGR rules and settings which have suppressed all the other tours for decades. The DPWT has had issues with the ranking points for a very long time because of how heavily it suited the PGAT events over all other global events.
Well, the PGA needs to maintain this ranking system to prop up all players that stay and come to them via the KFT and collegiate levels. If they hand over that power play, they lose the number one chip they hold in this current battle for power. LIV on the other hand is making waves with the DPWT and Asian tour and is continuing to take on even bigger partners along the way. The influx of Aramco shares certainly means they have no funding issues at all.
LIV Tour Announces Partnership
Today LIV announces a partnership with the 2nd largest presenter of live music events worldwide.
It’s hard to really see any path or agreement that brings these groups together while at the same time allowing them to operate under current conditions which are crucial to their plans. Many are suggesting that Yasir and the PIF are just a support for LIV and that they can take over the entire thing meaning the PGAT. I don’t see how that’s an option. It seems to me the SSG would have an issue with their investment also.
Why would the PGAT hand over the ownership to Yasir just to make LIV go away? That is what has been suggested by some. I find it hard to believe Yasir is all of a sudden ready to throw it all away. I don’t see a good reason, other than to see LIV go away, that they would hand over the PGAT.
Sorry fans, I just don’t see a great solution here. And we are once again in a holding pattern with no clearing in sight. The good news is that we are just weeks away from The Masters. For a brief period, all this stuff goes away. I get that exhilarating feeling when Monday at The Masters pops up on The Golf Channel. We start to tell the bosses “Cough, I think I’m feeling a bit under the weather. I might need some time off Thursday and Friday.” Almost all the players will be there for a glorious week. Once again and for a moment the split will be gone.