Sportswashing or ‘a big, beautiful, and glamorous deal’: The shock merger between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and LIV Golf
In an astonishing deal to end the ever-gaping chasm in professional golf, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour agreed to merge with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit on Tuesday.
All pending litigation will be halted and both branches will now move forward as a single, for-profit company that is yet to be named.
Heralded as “a historic day for the game,” by commissioner Jay Monahan, how has the news been received across the golfing world?
An attempt at sportswashing
A form of reputation laundering, sportswashing describes the practice of an individual, team, group, or government using sporting accomplishments to improve reputations that may have been tarnished by perceived or actual wrongdoing.
In this case, the families and loved ones of 9/11 Families United support group believe the merger to be a thinly veiled attempt at improving the reputation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Deemed by some as potentially necessary due to declassified FBI documents that reported that 15 of the 19 plane hijackers were, in fact, Saudi nationals, who went on to kill nearly 3,000 people on 11th September 2001.
In announced plans, Monahan will become chief executive, while Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), will become chairman of the new company.
As more facts about the running of the new enterprise come to light, members of 9/11 Families United support group published a statement, revealing themselves as “shocked and deeply offended” by the hypocrisy, betrayal, and apparent U-turn from key individuals, including Monahan himself.
Monahan had previously criticised the exodus of Tour players considering LIV Golf, asking them if they had ever had to apologise for being a member of the PGA Tour – clearly referencing the links between LIV Golf and 9/11 extremism.
Terry Strada, wife of deceased 9/11 victim Tom Strada, explained in a damning statement, “our entire community has been betrayed by Commissioner Monahan and the PGA as it appears their concern for our loved ones was merely window dressing in their quest for money – it was never to honour the great game of golf.”
An opinion shared by Amnesty International UK’s Felix Jakens, who has been reported saying:
“While this may have taken some golf fans and commentators by surprise, it’s really just more evidence of the onward march of Saudi sportswashing […] part of a wider effort to become a major sporting power and to try to distract attention from the country’s atrocious human rights record.”
Anger and shock
Despite being integral to the running of the newly merged company, pro-golfers have expressed their shock and surprise at not being consulted ahead of the media release on Tuesday – a feat which meant that most found out at the same time as their fans.
Speaking on the Golf Channel, ex-PGA player and golf analyst Brandel Chamblee expressed similar feelings about the new deal, reflecting that:
"I think it is one of the saddest days in the history of professional golf. I do believe that the governing bodies, the professional entities, have sacrificed their principles for profits. Will the game of golf still have its integrity? This is about the future, the legacy of golf. This is so much bigger than any of us."
Other pro-golfers have also expressed their dismay – especially at having to find out on social media, including US- nationals Collin Morikawa, Wesley Bryan, Michael Kim, Dylan Wu, Ben An, and Canada's Mackenzie Hughes, to name but a few.
Joy and pride
Notably, some big names have found the merger a real reason to celebrate – the most famous of which may be former US president, Donald Trump.
Taking to social media, Trump celebrated, stating it was, "Great news from LIV Golf. A big, beautiful and glamorous deal for the wonderful world of golf. Congrats to all."
Similarly, positive reactions emerged from six-times major winner Phil Mickelson, who tweeted to celebrate the news stating it was an “Awesome day today”. As one of the first big names to switch from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, perhaps this reaction isn’t a big surprise.
Surprisingly, however, PGA-stalwart Rory McIlroy seemed to end his mixed-feeling musings on the merger on a positive note, explaining that the new company “unifies it (golf) and secures its financial future” despite there being “mixed emotions in there as well”- but that overall "[in] 10 years this is going to be good for pro golf".
Only time will tell
Fans and professionals alike must now wait with bated breath to find out what golf’s new venture will hold.
Whether it will, in fact, unite the warring golf factions and elevate the game, or merely be used as a sportswashing cash cow.
While we wait, many home UK fans are choosing to focus on their own golf game and playing with friends – enjoying golf without the politics.
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