The urgency of PGA Tour golfers to sit at the table with Yasir al-Rumayyan is no coincidence. Golf industry leaders, many of whom attended this week’s Players Championship, privately believe it could be as early as 2026 before a unification of the sport produces a schedule that combines LIV and the traditional tours.
Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is keen to explain his vision for the future of golf to PGA Tour player directors. This includes Tiger Woods, who is widely believed to be a Saudi skeptic. Until now – and incredibly, given the kingdom’s relentless rise into the sport via the rebel LIV circuit – no such discussion has taken place.
The Strategic Sports Group, which has invested $1.5 billion in a new commercial entity, was at Sawgrass in recent days for detailed discussions with the PGA and DP World Tours.
The ultimate goal is the globalization of golf, with further investment from the PIF. However, there is private acceptance that, with the 2024 schedule underway and plans for 2025 of course in the works, huge leaps need to be made to even change the professional landscape within two years. The 50th edition of the Players Championship will take place without two reigning major champions due to their LIV connections.
PGA Tour player director Peter Malnati expressed his belief that quick action is needed. “I think something needs to be done for our sport,” Malnati said.
“I would like to see a uniform game. I want there to be different tours where guys can play, I want that, but I want to see a unified game where when we have events like the Players Championship, we have the best players in the world and we are proud of that. to call them PGA Tour members. That is what I want. I don’t know how we get there, but that’s what I want.
“Our commissioner has been saying for months that the next step is to have Yasir meet PGA Tour players. He’s been saying that for months. There have of course been all kinds of challenges in making that possible, but it is essential.
“That’s absolutely essential because at its core, players have nothing to do with running the PGA Tour, but this is a membership organization. We should have input into the direction things are going.”
Inside the ropes, Wyndham Clark started day three with a four-stroke lead and ended it one behind Xander Schauffele. A 65 from Schauffele took him to 17 under par. Clark’s 70 included the potentially decisive finding of water on the iconic 17th.
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Brian Harman tore through the pack, with the Open champion’s 64 taking him to 15 under. “This is my favorite PGA Tour event of the year,” Harman said. “I like coming here. They treat us like kings when we show up. The golf course is incredible. I’ve been close to this a few times. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.” Matt Fitzpatrick and Maverick McNealy are minus 13.
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Rory McIlroy’s race seemed to be over when he made a double bogey at the 14th to get back on level terms for the day. The Northern Irishman responded impressively, producing birdies on the final three holes for a total of 69 and nine under. McIlroy will remain hopeful of a second Players crown, but the general discomfort at the state of his game was highlighted by the 34-year-old heading straight to the driving range after round three.
Ludvig Åberg’s 67 means he equals McIlroy’s score on 54 holes. The 24-year-old Swede’s rise to elite level continues steadily. Åberg bogeyed the 1st and 18th, but delivered seven birdies in between.