LIV Golf star casts doubt over PGA Tour merger after hearing concerning update
LIV Golf star Anirban Lahiri has revealed a deal between he PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) is far from complete, as golf's off-course saga rumbles on.
After a year-long feud, the PGA Tour announced a shock plan to align with their LIV rivals, signing a framework agreement with PIF. Initially, a deadline of December 31 had been set to complete a deal, but over two months on, the two sides are yet to confirm their plans.
On the back of the missed deadline in December, and the Tour's decision to go into business with rival investor, Strategic Sports Group (SSG) in January, the American-based circuit reiterated it remained in discussions with the Saudi series.
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Reports suggested that the PGA Tour and PIF were planning on finalising their agreement by next month's Masters, but Lahiri believes there will be no update any time soon. "From what I've heard, it's not a done deal. In fact, I am hearing the opposite," he told Times of India.
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"It will be a matter of time as in how all the different organisations move forward. This back and forth just highlights what professional golf has gone through in the last two years. This whole period there has been a lot of turmoil." It was expected that PIF would pledge their backing into the newly-formed PGA Tour Enterprises, but if they are to do so, they will have company alongside SSG.
The U.S.-based investor includes owners of Liverpool F.C. and the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), with the consortium pledging to fund £2.4 billion ($3bn) into the Tour's new for-profit entity. And despite not being involved, the investment was one welcomed by those at LIV.
Anirban Lahiri is teamed up with Bryson DeChambeau at Crushers GC (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)Penning a later to LIV staff, PIF chief Yasir Al-Rumayaan said: "Yesterday’s announcement of the formation of PGA Tour Enterprises is consistent with PIF’s longstanding passion to grow the game. PIF continues to discuss and evaluate the possibility of a future investment that benefits the greater game of golf.
'PIF remains committed to investing in and supporting LIV and the team golf format that has brought new energy and so many new fans to the game around the world." A similar sentiment was echoed by the Saudi league's CEO Greg Norman, who also addressed the Tour's investment in a letter to his colleagues.
"Let me make one thing very clear: nothing announced by other tours or investment groups changes LIV Golf’s positive trajectory or future plans," he wrote. "More investment in golf is a great thing for the game and for us. It’s a positive development for our players, our fans, and for the long-term future of the game. Golf is now viewed as an asset class. We proved this was possible and are now in a unique position to mold and drive this incredible growth opportunity."
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