More Details Leak About PIF Deal, Tiger and Rory To Own LIV Teams?

It is becoming a routine occurrence now that each week, some tidbit about the forthcoming combination between the PGA TOUR, DP World TOUR, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF)—the owners of LIV Golf. Last week it was the leak of the Framework Agreement, and this week its information being revealed by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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One of the things that are being announced is, ironically, something we anticipated, a side agreement that contemplated Greg Norman being shown the door, likely in the interest of putting the bad blood between the TOUR and LIV/PIF in the rearview mirror. Notably, it is unconfirmed whether this side agreement was ever executed by the relevant parties.

But additional documents released by the Subcommittee have brought to light even more unexpected announcements about the super-league, which appears to be tentatively called the “International Golf Federation”:

First, a proposal was made in a memo entitled “The Best of Both Worlds” that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy would both own LIV teams. If this came to fruition, it would perhaps be the only thing that could rival the backtracking by the TOUR after spewing vitriol during the past year. And alongside Woods and McIlroy owning teams, it was expected that the duo—who are also trying to get TGL off the ground—would play in 10 LIV events per year going forward.

This rumor (along with other LIV-references throughout the memo) also appears to solidify the fact that it appears LIV will continue to exist, despite the TOUR’s statements that its curtain call is fast approaching.

Second, expanding on the suggestion that LIV will continue beyond 2023, there are proposals included in the memo are a mixed-gender, LIV-style 16-team event with live drafting for the teams, qualifying events in Saudi Arabia, and a championship finale in Dubai. This, ironically, is a variation of something that golfing fans have referred to several times—events combining the best of the PGA and LPGA—when looking for new competitions that could help reinvigorate the stale, stroke-play events that litter every weekend of the year.

Moreover, following the end of the Dell Match Play, match play events are now (more or less) reserved for the Ryder Cup, which this is looking to mimic to some degree. The location of the events also aligns with the Framework Agreement and the intent to bring a high profile (“elevated”) golf event—although the current ask appears to requesting two, not one—to Saudi Arabia.

Fourth, and perhaps the one that brings the biggest smile to my face, is that Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the PIF, would receive an Augusta National and R&A membership. Despite how much you may despise LIV and Al-Rumayyan, the fact of the matter is that if anyone of us had the ability to leverage our position into a round at Augusta, but especially a membership, we’d jump at the opportunity absent any hesitation. Throwing in the R&A is just the cherry on top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Of course, none of this appears to be set in stone, but it certainly provides insight into what people are expecting to materialize out of this combination.

Cover Image Via Leaders