A PGA Tour player director has admitted it would be “very dangerous” if the organization did not strike a deal with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Webb Simpson, speaking after the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, believes the “good of the game” would be damaged if the PGA Tour does not form an alliance with LIV Golf.
Last June’s framework agreement between the existing golf tours and the PIF has so far resulted in the creation of a new commercial entity, PGA Tour Enterprises, in which an American sports conglomerate has invested $1.5 billion. The PIF remains on the outside pending regulatory approval. LIV, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, has continued to lure players from the PGA Tour.
Recent noise, including from Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth, has indicated that the PGA Tour can now run without the help of PIF. Simpson issued a warning.
“Very dangerous,” Simpson said of that possibility. “I think we’re in a position where we want to get the right deal. We don’t want to just make a deal because we are afraid that the LIV tour will recruit more players. That is certainly a fear.
“But I think it’s clear (we have to make a deal). The writing is on the wall. We are not in a position where we have to make a deal for money. We need to make a deal for the good of the game. And for the long-term health of the PGA Tour. That’s my hope.
“One thing I know for sure is that fans, players, media and sponsors all strongly believe that the game is divided. The game has been divided for a year and a half now. The game lacks the personalities of LIV. I think the game is missing the personalities of LIV and the PGA Tour playing together.”
This week’s PGA Tour event at Bay Hill and next week’s flagship Players Championship will take place without the Masters and US PGA champions – Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka – both now playing under the LIV banner.
“I don’t know what they (LIV and PIF) want,” Simpson added. “I don’t know what the players who play for LIV want. I think they are very happy where they are. I think they are very happy with the decisions they have made. But I’ve heard from plenty of people who have become a little uncomfortable with the current state of golf. When you come to big tournaments like the Arnold Palmer Invitational, you want to know if the guy who won can beat most or all of the best players.”
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Simpson admitted that no PGA Tour player directors have communicated directly with the PIF. “We probably should have talked to them already,” he said.
Shane Lowry shot to the top of the leaderboard on day one in Orlando. The Irishman, who admitted his record at Bay Hill was “horrendous”, posted a six-under-par 66. “Maybe that’s the kind of score I need to give myself the confidence to play my game here,” Lowry said.