Brandel Chamblee, Golf World React to PGA Tour’s Eye-Opening Senate Hearing

There was a lot to unpack here.

All eyes on the men’s professional golf world were focused on Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, where PGA Tour chief operating officer Ron Price and policy board independent director Jimmy Dunne testified in front of the Senate Homeland Security Committee’s investigations subcommittee.

Price, who has been filling in for PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan during his medical leave, and Dunne answered questions about the agreed-upon alliance between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a stunning move that would unify men’s professional golf if it ultimately moves forward.

The subcommittee also released documents from their investigation into the agreement, which showed a number of wild behind-the-scenes asks, including the Saudis wanting Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to own LIV Golf teams and play in 10 LIV Golf events. There was also a nugget about PIF’s Yasir Al-Rumayyan trying to get an Augusta National membership out of the deal. 

Price shared how much the Saudis might be investing in the deal: 

"North of $1 billion."

COO Ron Price revealed the level of Saudi investment discussed in the PGA Tour's merger with LIV Golf during a Senate hearing.

(via @cspan) pic.twitter.com/6FUyTRmfys

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 11, 2023

The golf world, including Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, had plenty of reactions to the session:

LIV golf is the evolution of evil, whereby the commodification of seemingly everything makes it not only possible but acceptable to commit crimes against humanity and pay for forgiveness. The more I understand of this deal, the more sickening it becomes. https://t.co/V9qI7g1WUI

— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) July 11, 2023

I'm sure it feels good to Rory that while he was fighting the PGA Tour's war against LIV, the Tour and the PIF were using him as a bargaining chip for the future. https://t.co/qv1fGioXbk

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) July 11, 2023

Stating the obvious here but at this point, the deal falling through would be an absolute disaster for the PGA Tour and massive win for LIV.

— Andy Johnson (@AndyTFE) July 11, 2023

Takeaways from today:
1. Read the documents; they're wild
2. Ron Johnson is totally on the Tour's side
3. Was this really all about an Augusta National membership?
4. The DP World Tour is being absorbed by the PGA Tour
5. Now the fight is between equity/board seats vs. money

— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) July 11, 2023

Very interesting: some of the proposals floated between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund, as shown in documents released today by the Subcommittee:

- Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy being given ownership of LIV Golf teams and participating in LIV Golf events

- Greg…

— John Nucci (@JNucci23) July 11, 2023

Needing to communicate the dire situation the PGA Tour is in while saving face if the deal falls through. Quite a delicate balancing act! https://t.co/E9BLPQgyee

— Joseph LaMagna (@JosephLaMagna) July 11, 2023

That a man spent roughly $4 billion of his country’s money to fund a sports league that beget a schism
in the hopes it would one day lead to an ANGC membership. https://t.co/waSJPIeZXK

— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) July 11, 2023

Well... yeah. https://t.co/VQRf7M9DnZ

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) July 11, 2023

Here’s the side letter requesting that Greg Norman would be out as CEO of LIV “no later than one month”after the framework agreement was executed. pic.twitter.com/8eemzXE7WX

— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) July 11, 2023