PGA Tour responds to Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia quotes as Israel goes to war

Alan Shipnuck believes PIF-PGA Tour framework agreement just got "much more complicated" after Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia's views on Israel-Palestine crisis.

Andy Roberts

10 Oct 2023

PGA Tour responds to Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia quotes as Israel goes to war — PGA Tour responds to Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia quotes as Israel goes to…

Golf biographer Alan Shipnuck believes the PGA Tour-PIF framework agreement has now got "much more complicated" following the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia's views on the Israel-Palestine war, especially in light of the PGA Tour's latest social media post.

Officials have estimated more than 800 Israelis and some 500 Palestinians have been killed amid heavy fighting and bombardment following the largest attack by the Palestinian armed group Hamas against Israel in decades.

More than 2,500 people are also said to be wounded.

Here's the latest according to aljazeera.com:

"Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday authorities would impose a total blockade on the Gaza Strip, cutting electricity and blocking food and fuel supplies as part of 'a complete siege' on the Hamas-run enclave.

"It came as Gaza’s Ministry of Health said at least 510 Palestinians had been killed and 2,751 more had been wounded in Israeli air raids on the enclave since Saturday, when Hamas launched its multipronged offensive on Israel."

How does the Israel-Palestine crisis affect the potential merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)?

According to Alan Shipnuck, who has once again been in the news this month following the launch of his new book, the alliance between the PGA Tour and PIF could now be "much more complicated" as a result of the differing views on the war.

Obviously there are far, far more important issues, but this statement just made consummating the PIF-PGA Tour framework agreement that much more complicated. https://t.co/h0r1fs5KIT
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) October 10, 2023

A statement from Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman earlier today reads as follows:

"His Highness affirms that the Kingdom stands by the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights, realize their hopes and aspirations, and achieve just and lasting peace."

Following those words from bin Salman, the PGA Tour wasted little time in posting its own stance on the war with a social post that read:

"The PGA Tour is horrified and heartbroken by this week's indefensible terror attacks in Israel, and condemns violence in all capacities. We are praying for those wounded to recover, for the communities impacted by this devastation to rebuild, and for those mourning loved ones to heal."

SEE THE PGA TOUR POST HERE

In response to reading bin Salman's latest quotes, Shipnuck tweeted:

"Obviously there are far, far more important issues, but this statement just made cosummating the PIF-PGA Tour framework agreement that much more complicated."

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan last provided an update on their potential alliance with PIF when addressing the media at the Tour Championship in August.

Bloomberg reported on Friday October 6 that the December 31, 2023, deadline for a shock PGA Tour / Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) merger to become finalised is "likely to be pushed back due to a range of issues."

Will the merger between the PGA Tour and PIF still take place as planned, or will the deal break down? Will the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy really be that keen to partner with Saudi Arabia in 2024 and beyond? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.