Jay Monahan used nearly 1,500 words in his opening speech at this Arnold Palmer Invitational. Only 108 of them mentioned Saudi Arabia, the room’s biggest problem. Or, more specifically, the state of the unification talks between the Saudi-fronted LIV circuit and the PGA Tour, which Monahan directs. Monahan was eager to talk about corporate partners, innovation, and fan engagement. Fluff. The fact of the matter is that the excitement that was sparked by the announcement of a framework agreement between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has long since subsided. This is a fact that cannot be denied. It’s not surprising that that shocking press release was distributed on June 6, 2023. In response to questions, Monahan was only marginally more specific regarding the outlook for his sport. He objected to the idea of mood music with a low profile following a meeting at the White House at the end of February. Rory McIlroy had to say something that anyone with even a passing interest in this would have noticed: a peace agreement is not any closer. It wasn’t the first time he had to say it. Some individuals have privately characterized the White House discussion as disastrous. Donald Trump is an ally because he can stage meetings and tell the US Department of Justice to ignore him. Trump, on the other hand, has made it clear in recent days that besides watching a sport that is at odds with itself, he has other things to do. It is common knowledge that Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF, was dissatisfied with what he heard in Washington, DC. Rumayyan thinks that despite LIV’s impact—or disruption, depending on your perspective—he has not been treated with sufficient respect. Rumayyan regards LIV as having a significant personal value. It is naive to believe that he will shift it into scheduling windows that are appropriate for the PGA Tour. Another possibility is that PIF will delegate spending decisions to American sports executives and deposit funds into the brand-new PGA Tour Enterprises. Every negotiation has good days and bad days, but this one is also at a crossroads. Do you think Monahan will try to please the Saudis or will he do what he wants because he is confident that the PGA Tour will eventually triumph over a rebel organization that doesn’t have much traction with the general public? Rumayyan’s choices will be heavily influenced by the true extent of his anxiety. This week, the division will not be avoided. The PGA Tour’s flagship event, the Players Championship, is a source of great pride. The issue is that well-known people won’t be there this time. Under the LIV banner, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, and Jon Rahm will perform in Singapore. This phenomenon is not unique to the PGA Tour; numerous players have switched to LIV and are no longer in the public eye. Names that were once headlines are now secondary topics. Monahan didn’t say what he would do if a LIV player who had played on the PGA Tour in the past wanted to come back. Monahan views this as leverage. He would appear to have a chance to win and regain power if someone acknowledged that the grass was not always greener. However, Rumayyan’s approval or another tangled legal issue is required for this scenario to take place. A contract exists between LIV and its golfers. Although we are not yet there, the options that will be available when those deals expire are intriguing. Additionally, Monahan will be well aware of his organization’s LIV golfers’ playing group, which would despise their return. Golfers, like all individual athletes, are made to be self-centered, so the idea of doing what’s best for others rarely appeals to them. In the chaos, it is unclear precisely where the European Tour Group is supposed to appear. Saudi Arabia’s desire to join the DP World Tour as a partner has always been a subject of speculation. This seems like an obvious reversal if disagreements within the White House prove to be too difficult to resolve. It is unsatisfactory for the time being that Europe’s main tour is currently in a holding pattern until a circumstance that is completely out of its control is resolved in one way or another. Monahan will once more address the media before the Players. When the cameras are turned on and questions are asked, the naturally decent commissioner of the PGA Tour is unimpressive. The fact that he has little hope for a bright future at this point is another fundamental issue. Golf will continue to travel its distinct paths for some time to come.
