Prove what had to be proven: 2025 is the year in which the world’s order is being rearranged. On a large scale – politically, economically, socially – and on a small scale, in golf, for example. And everything stands and falls with the disruptor, the self-proclaimed big shot in the White House, who wants to put his stamp on everything that is of interest and useful to him on this globe. Golf, anyway. Donald Trump may not have settled the tug-of-war between the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF and the PGA Tour for an investment in the commercial venture PGA Tour Enterprises within 15 minutes, as he once boasted. But negotiations have progressed at a breathtaking pace since Agent Orange returned to the Oval Office – not least because the parties are hoping for The Donald’s diktat for the U.S. Department of Justice. Last Thursday, a delegation of the establishment was again with the president, Commissioner Jay Monahan and player representative Adam Scott, who had already been heard the other day, as well as Tiger Woods, who had been unable to attend the previous time – and PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan, which was the biggest news item of the meeting.
If it wasn’t clear, Jay Monahan will indeed by referring to Yasir Al-Rumayyan as “H.E.”
Below is an update following today’s meeting at the White House between Monahan, Al-Rumayyan, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott and President Trump. pic.twitter.com/XM5xUmPe4f — Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) February 20, 2025
After the hours-long meeting, the PGA Tour released the usual blah-blah statement and spoke meaninglessly of a “constructive working session”. What was significant, of course, was not only that Trump’s “leadership” was once again praised, but that Al-Rumayyan was consistently and respectfully referred to as “His Excellency”. Monahan has sounded different before, but now it is time to bow down before the new balance of power and Trump’s presidential and private economic ties with the Saudis.
The president, in turn, took advantage of Woods’ presence and celebrated a high-profile joint appearance with the 15-time major winner on the occasion of National Black History Month, which, in view of Trump’s otherwise openly displayed racism, is not without a certain irony. At a dinner for the governors of the US states the next day, the president then declared: “There is a good chance that we will make it. I think there is a very good chance.”
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“And there’s Trump, who lives and breathes golf and has extensive business dealings with the Tour, with LIV and with Saudi Arabia. This is his world; in a public appearance post-meeting he led a “Ti-ger” chant and showered praise on Scott (“I’ve always tried to swing like Adam, it never worked out that way”) and he would love nothing more than to be the toast of the game.” Dylan Dethier in Golf.com
However and whenever it happens, one thing is clear: the future of golf will be defined and decided in the White House – and everything points to it being decided soon. If Trump puts the brakes on the Department of Justice, the only sticking point remaining is the future and staffing of the LIV league, which Al-Rumayyan apparently wants to hold on to.
The latest rumor was spread by Rex Hoggard from the “Golf Channel”. He claims to have learned from a LIV’ler that professionals from the rival circuit will be allowed to compete in the Players Championship (March 11-16) on the PGA Tour, of all things at their flagship event. However, the fact that the LIV event in Singapore is scheduled for that weekend speaks against this.
