PGA Tour exec BLASTS criticism of LIV Golf/PIF deal before Senate hearing

High-ranking PGA Tour executive Ron Price has addressed criticism over the LIV Golf/PIF deal ahead of a US Senate hearing.

Ben Smith

11 Jul 2023

PGA Tour exec BLASTS criticism of LIV Golf/PIF deal before Senate hearing

High-ranking PGA Tour executive Ron Price says there is 'misinformation and misunderstanding' about the framework agreement with LIV Golf's backers ahead of a hearing before US lawmakers.

Price, the chief operating officer of the PGA Tour, wrote an op-ed for the Athetlic ahead of the congressional hearing on 11 July.

In the piece his chief complaint appeared to be that he believes there 'remains misinformation and misunderstanding' about the framework agreement that was announced on 6 June.

The golf world was knocked sideways when PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan appeared on CNBC alongside LIV Golf mastermind Yasir Al-Rumayyan after striking an agreement that would bring golf's leading organisations together under the umbrella of a new, for-profit company.

Days later all the litigation between the parties was dropped. Monahan, in particular, faced fierce criticism from some leading PGA Tour players for the about-face tour management policy. Rory McIlroy told of how he felt like the tour's sacrificial lamb.

| Jay Monahan has fired back at Congress, saying the PGA Tour were left to fend for itself against LIV Golf/Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/vatJO3rshr
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 13, 2023

Monahan was accused of trying to emotionally blackmail the game's leading stars into not bolting for the rival golf league, bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia.

The under fire boss was forced to step away from his day-to-day duties owing to an unexplained medical issue. He has now announced he will return to his role later this month.

Curiously, his return date is six days after Price and fellow PGA Tour policy board member Ed Herlihy were scheduled to appear before lawmakers on 11 July.

Price's letter in the Athletic outlined that he does regret the tour's messaging over the proposal.

In the initial PGA Tour news release announcing the deal, the word 'merger' was used.

Price contends it is anything but. "That's something we take full ownership of and deeply regret," he wrote.

The new, for-profit company is named PGA Tour Enterprises and will see the aforementioned PIF as a non-controlling minority investor.

He added:

"Moving forward, we firmly believe that the more the facts are discussed and understood, the further our constituents can support a potential definitive agreement—if reached—and look forward to the positive and lasting impact on all levels of our game."

Addressing why the agreement is happening, Price wrote:

"First, the agreement provides clear, explicit and permanent safeguards that ensure the PGA Tour will lead the decisions that shape our future, and that we'll have control over our operations, strategy and continuity of our mission."

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Picture: Senator Richard Blumenthal

He added:

"Second, if we get a final agreement, it will allow us to further invest in the players who define our sport, and the events, venues, communities and technology that bring it to life.

"Working in partnership with the membership and policy board, we are stewards of the organization's long-term health and leadership.

"Weighed against the prospect of a continued, unsustainable battle that threatened our very existence, given the safeguards that guarantee our self-determination and the possibilities afforded by new investments, 'yes' was the clear answer to the framework agreement."

The hearing on 11 July is part of a congressional probe that was opened by the senate's permanent subcommittee on investigations.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a democrat, has raised concerns with the agreement, citing issues with the Saudi government's role in the sport.

LIV boss Al-Rumayyan and their chief executive, Greg Norman, declined the invitation to attend the hearing and explain their positions.

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