This week, Brookline, Massachusetts hosts the renowned US Open, often hailed as the ‘toughest test in golf.’ However, recent weeks have unfolded as a challenging period for the professional golfing world, both on and off the course, potentially causing rifts within the sport.
Historically, the US-based PGA Tour has held the status of the toughest, most prestigious, and lucrative golf circuit globally, akin to a Holy Grail for aspiring players. Alongside the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), it has been a dominant force in golf for decades.
A Saudi-funded initiative with substantial financial backing has emerged as a formidable contender, enticing top players worldwide with lucrative contracts and guaranteed prize money for participation in their LIV Golf events. Several prominent golfers have made the switch, prompting the PGA Tour to swiftly suspend their memberships.
While these players are still allowed to participate in the US Open and likely the upcoming 150th Open Championship at The Old Course in St. Andrews, potential repercussions may bar them from future Ryder Cups or Presidents Cups.
The controversy centers around the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, investing heavily in elite sports. Critics argue that this is a form of ‘sportswashing,’ attempting to enhance the Saudi ruling regime’s image. The kingdom faces allegations of human rights violations, and the fallout from the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi further complicates matters. The launch of a rival golfing venture against the established US-based tour strikes a sensitive chord in the USA, given that 15 of the 19 hijackers in the 9/11 attacks hailed from Saudi Arabia.
The PGA Tour’s refusal to grant waivers to players participating in LIV Golf events has led some players to resign their memberships to avoid potential sanctions or legal actions.
The LIV Golf format deviates from traditional tours, featuring 54-hole tournaments over three days with a 48-player field. Each event comprises both team and individual competitions, employing a ‘shotgun start’ to make the rounds more TV-friendly.
Financially, LIV Golf has enticed top golfers with astronomical sums, often in the hundreds of millions of dollars, as signing amounts. Fronted by former world Number 1 Greg Norman, the venture plans eight events in 2022, each with a prize fund of $25 million, surpassing the PGA Tour in terms of lucrative opportunities.
Notable players like Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, and others have joined LIV Golf. Justifications for this move vary, with some emphasizing their global professional status, while others openly admit it’s primarily about the money. The golfing establishment expresses disappointment, but the inclusion of these players in the US Open field is justified by the pre-existing criteria set by the United States Golf Association (USGA), distinct from the PGA Tour.
This scenario mirrors similar trends in other sports, such as T20 cricket, where players opt for various leagues worldwide to maximize earnings and reduce physical strain, occasionally at the expense of representing their national teams.
