Eight-time major champion Tom Watson has sent a letter to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and fellow players, seeking answers on the Tour’s new business partnership with Saudi backers of LIV Golf. In the letter, obtained by the Associated Press, Watson asked if the deal was the only way to solve the Tour’s financial hardship and whether the Tour had considered the moral implications of the partnership. Watson’s letter is the latest salvo in a debate that has engulfed the golfing world for the past three years.
The issue took a dramatic turn on June 6 when the PGA Tour announced it had joined with Saudi Arabia’s national wealth fund and the European Tour to put commercial businesses under one roof. The deal is supposed to allow for a financial investment from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and pooling the three parties’ current and future golf-related investments, including LIV Golf. Monahan has referred to it as a “framework agreement,” but Watson and others have asked for more transparency and details on the deal.
Missing details include the future of LIV Golf, which Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau have said they are planning for a 2024 season. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who chairs the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, has suggested that congressional hearings could be held within weeks to get more information on the deal. Blumenthal wants to know what went into the deal, who was behind it, and details on the structure and governance of the new company.
Watson’s letter also raises concerns about the moral implications of the deal. He asks whether the PGA Tour has considered the human rights record of Saudi Arabia, which is widely criticized for its treatment of women, activists, and dissidents. Watson’s letter is a reminder that golf has a long history of social activism, with players like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus using their platform to speak out on issues of public concern.
The debate over the PGA Tour’s deal with Saudi backers of LIV Golf highlights the growing tension between sports and politics. In recent years, athletes and teams have become increasingly vocal on issues such as racial justice, gender equality, and climate change. The PGA Tour’s deal with Saudi Arabia raises questions about the role of sport in promoting human rights and democracy, and whether it is appropriate for sports organizations to partner with governments or businesses with questionable records.
At the heart of the debate is the question of whether sports should be seen as a neutral space, free from politics and controversy. Supporters of the PGA Tour’s deal with Saudi Arabia argue that sports can be a bridge between cultures and can help promote understanding and dialogue. Opponents, however, argue that sports should take a stand on issues of public concern and that by partnering with Saudi Arabia, the PGA Tour is legitimizing a regime with a poor human rights record.
The debate over the PGA Tour’s deal with Saudi backers of LIV Golf is far from over. But one thing is clear: the issue has put golf in the spotlight, and it has forced players, fans, and officials to confront some difficult questions about the role of sport in society. As Tom Watson’s letter shows, golf has a long tradition of social activism, and it is clear that many players feel a deep sense of responsibility to use their platform to speak out on issues that matter. The debate over the PGA Tour’s deal with Saudi Arabia is just the latest example of this.
References
- https://apnews.com/hub/golf
- https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
- http://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/449/tom-watson
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- https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2023/06/12/pga-tour-liv-golf-merger-subject-of-new-us-senate-investigation/70313511007/
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- https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2023/06/19/tom-watson-open-letter-pga-tour-liv-golf-deal/70335298007/
