Al-Rumayyan Coy Over PGA Tour Investment In LIV Golf Update
LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan says his Saudi PIF will evaluate possibly still investing in the PGA Tour in the future
LIV Golf chairman and Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan says they'll continue to "discuss and evaluate the possibility of a future investment" in the new PGA Tour Enterprises company despite the new $3bn deal with SSG.
Golfweek has published a letter written by Al-Rumayyan to LIV Golf staff in the wake of the PGA Tour deal which reaffirms the PIF's long-term backing of Greg Norman's team golf tour.
Al-Rumayyan and PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan shook hands on a deal in June, but no final agreement had been reached, while the American consortium led by Fenway Sports Group held talks about their own investment.
Although the tone was non-committal, Al-Rumayyan left the door open to possible future investment in PGA Tour Enterprises, but the main theme was that of backing LIV Golf continually.
The 2024 LIV Golf League kicks off this week in Mexico, and in the wake of the PGA Tour deal Norman wrote a letter to his staff saying that it was still full steam ahead for their tour.
And just a day later, Al-Rumayyan has followed suit with a letter to calm any nerves about LIV Golf's future - while adding that PGA Tour investment was still a possibility.
"Yesterday’s announcement of the formation of PGA Tour Enterprises is consistent with PIF’s longstanding passion to grow the game," read the letter published by Golfweek.
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"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.
"The game of golf is only beginning to fulfil its potential. This is the vision we had when LIV was created, and today that is more alive than ever.
"LIV has transformed the sport, and we will continue to grow the game globally, expand its fanbase, elevate its platform, and maintain incredible momentum.
"LIV has a great season ahead. Good luck at Mayakoba. I will see you all on the range soon."
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
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