Details have emerged from PGA Tour players’ meeting with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Public Investment Fund (PIF), with Webb Simpson stating that Tiger Woods was “very engaged” with what was said.
Simpson, along with PGA Tour player directors, board members and representatives from the Strategic Sports Group, met with Al-Rumayyan in the Bahamas earlier this week to discuss PIF’s potential investment into PGA Tour Enterprises.
Al-Rumayyan’s PIF is the funder of the breakaway LIV Golf circuit, which has caused plenty of disruption in the game since launching in 2022.
“What I was interested in going there was to learn more about who he is and what he’s thinking,” Simpson told Sports Illustrated ahead of the Valspar Championship.
“Learn about LIV more. What was your intention and hope there? How’s it going? All that kind of stuff. A meet and greet and learn. I think he wanted to learn from us kind of what we think. We wanted to figure out what he thinks.
“It definitely seems like he envisions a place in the game of golf.
“We didn’t get as far as what he wants and what does LIV want. He certainly seems engaged enough in the game already that he has desires to see the game grow globally, I think it’s fair to say. And he mentioned growing it in Saudi to try and do that.”
Since LIV Golf’s first event at Centurion Club two years ago, a heap of PGA Tour stars have defected to the league, including Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith.
All of those players have been suspended from the PGA Tour, leaving golf’s No.1 circuit with a weaker product.
Talks to initially heal the divisions in the game began last June, when PIF, the PGA and DP World Tour shocked the sporting world when announcing a framework agreement, promising to unify the game of golf, on a global basis.
Talks have been ongoing since then, with the original deadline of December 31, 2023, to reach an agreement extended.
In that time, LIV Golf has poached a number of stars from the PGA Tour including Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, while the PGA Tour finalised a landmark agreement with the Strategic Sports Group in January for an investment worth up to up to $3 billion in in a new, for-profit entity called PGA Tour Enterprises.
Despite some PGA Tour players believing the PGA Tour didn’t need PIF investment following the deal with the Strategic Sports Group, Simpson said that he believed not doing a deal with PIF was dangerous just two weeks ago.
“The basis for my opinion is really and solely concerned with the poaching (of PGA Tour players),” Simpson told Sports Illustrated yesterday.
“We have amazing players on the PGA Tour. As long as there is a potential opportunity for our players to play on a different tour, I have been a little nervous about what is going to happen with the PIF.
“Ultimately, I want us all to play together more than just the majors. It doesn’t have to be just the PGA Tour. That’s why we all love sports. Best teams in the Super Bowl. Best teams in NBA Finals.
“I do think it’s a while until we get there. I didn’t walk away with a much clearer understanding of what the future holds. But I definitely walked away thinking I’m glad we did that. Glad we met him. Glad we had a very friendly meeting. It was never tense. It was a long day but a good day.”
