Following the Players Championship, the Public Investment of Saudi Arabia was scheduled to meet with the Player Directors of the PGA Tour in Florida. However, the meeting has been rescheduled to take place in the Bahamas.
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) and the Player Directors of the PGA Tour are scheduled to meet at Albany Resort in the Bahamas, which is the location of the Hero World Challenge, which is being hosted by Tiger Woods.
Golfweek revealed at the Players Championship last week that a number of PGA Tour players were scheduled to have a private meeting with PIF; Patrick Cantlay reaffirmed this on Sunday. Originally scheduled to happen in Florida on the Players’ back, the meeting will now be held in the Bahamas, according to a Sports Illustrated report.
Player Director Cantlay stated at TPC Sawgrass on Monday that the talks with the Saudi fund were ongoing, saying, “I imagine I’ll do a lot more listening than talking.” I’m eager to find out what I can, and after that, I’ll know a lot more.
“I have to listen to what they have to say, and anytime I am in a meeting in that role, I will always try to speak for the whole membership. As always, more information is preferable. I doubt our first meeting will cover much ground; it will be more of a meet and greet. To the best of my abilities, it is always my responsibility to represent the entire membership.
“I’m all in favor of a deal that can be reached if it serves the interests of all members. Additionally, if it’s absent, it’s absent. Although it was not confirmed, it was anticipated that Woods would attend the meeting given his position on the Policy Board, particularly since it is now being held in a location that the 15-time major winner is familiar with.
Rory McIlroy is one man who won’t be there; in November of last year, the Northern Irishman decided to step down from his position as a Player Director. Following his last round at the Players on Sunday, the 34-year-old was asked about the meeting and said he thought it should have happened sooner rather than later.
“I’m glad it’s happening, even though I believe it should have months ago. At Sawgrass, he stated, “Hopefully, that advances discussions and brings us closer to a resolution. “Yasir [Al-Rumyaan] and I have spent time together. I believe that Norman and those guys, who have represented him in LIV, have done him a disservice. At his core, he wants to act morally.
“They are a sovereign wealth fund, you see. They want to put money in a bank account and forget about it for decades. If they’re looking to invest in sports in any capacity, the PGA Tour is unquestionably one of the wise and safe companies they want to put their money into.
When asked if he thought Woods ought to be involved in the Saudi gathering, McIlroy responded, “He’s a player director.” He should definitely be involved because he is on the board. Members of the Strategic Sports Group (SSG), the Tour’s new investor, are also anticipated to attend in the Bahamas. SSG members are anticipated to contribute £2.4 billion ($3 billion) to PGA Tour Enterprises.
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