A lot of folks are talking about how PGAT fans feel about this, but I wonder how LIV fans feel about this. One of their main arguments was that they liked LIV for breaking up the golf monopoly, but now we're going to get an even bigger golf monopoly. If I were a LIV fan, I think I'd be at least somewhat upset about that. But anyway. Financially, this should be good for the game. I expect a Saudi-backed Tour to work hard at growing the game in Asia. There's a ton of untapped potential there. As for the politics, well, I'm too old for politics, so🤷♂
For me - this was the only way forward. It was exactly the same as world series cricket decades ago. Kerry Packer shook up the cricket world, howls of derision - but look where it is now, the improvements and advances in the game have been amazing. Ok - Yes, its all about the money, everything is about the money. Whats new !! People talk about Saudi blood money - Hmmm, well people in glass houses shouldnt throw stones. Whether you like it or not - its a great day for world golf !!
Two quotes from Rory this morning - (1)"Good for the game of professional golf". (2)"Good for it's financial future." I really respect Rory but he doesn't appear to have come-to-terms with what's ACTUALLY happening. The key take-away from this "merger" is that the PGA Tour has clearly shown that principles can be bought. Golf has become as American as apple pie over the years. It flaunts the American flag, principles and traditions at every turn (e.g. Ryder Cup, The Presidents Cup, etc.). So to announce this merger with the US Open and Ryder Cup coming very soon... it makes this even more grotesque. This was a business/$$$ decision and shows that even though the PGA tour initially preached this fight started because of the immoral Saudi regime and its blood-money... I think it's safe to say now the PGA tour PREACHED THAT but were ACTUALLY fighting for the market/$$$ share it was potentially losing to LIV. Rory can try and swallow this jagged pill as much as he wants to... but now Saudi blood money has infiltrated the PGA tour and that is like a cancer to everything it touches. For Rory to say there is a difference between LIV and the Saudi fund money... he needs to understand its a distinction without a difference. PGA will now have an injection of Saudi blood money. Plus the Saudis will have a seat on the board. I've been an avid PGA fan for over 40 years. On the heels of this "merger".. I'm done with it. Another sport ruined. I like Rory but he is gonna have some hard realizations to face as this proceeds. This cancer won't get better Rory, it will just get worse. To those people who say there's Saudi money in everything, so why treat golf any different, that is a lazy defense. If I KNEW the Saudis were directly benefiting from the gas at my pump or the hotel I booked for my vacation.. they I will make the necessary change. But You rarely if ever KNOW that. In this case we KNOW it's Saudi blood money and its avoidable. So when you KNOW that rather than loosely suspect it... there in-lies THE difference.
Did you actually think that the PGA cared about the morality of everything? When it comes to corporations, there is only 2 things that matter like you said, market share and money. This was never about the morality of it, there are no morals in corporate. And I'm not defending anything, I am stating facts. The PIF heavily invests in a ton of things that everyone consumes. I'm not saying it's good, it's not, I'm stating it as factual information. And for me personally, I can't justify being outraged at the PGA and turn around and play any 2K game, or any EA game, or watch F1 on the weekends.
Did you really think it was ever about principle? Money is the only thing they care about. I wouldn’t be surprised if this whole stunt wasn’t planned out.
Would you believe that the US sold American helicopters including the Apache attack helicopter to Saudi Arabia? And that we have American soldiers and contractors training them on said helicopters? And that Saudi Arabia pays for the US troops to be there?
@@MoreRespawn The team based play was good to start with, but also the relaxed play, the closer crowd involvement, the relaxed dress code, the music and partying everywhere. It was just more condusive to fun and less stuffyness. IMHO.
