PGA Tour Merges with Saudi Fund Behind LIV Golf, Raising Concerns Over Human Rights Record

The PGA Tour’s announcement of a merger with the Saudi fund behind LIV Golf, creating a new entity with a yet-to-be-determined name, has shocked players who received no advance notice of the agreement. The move has been seen as a way for the PGA Tour to avoid litigation and talent loss, but it has also been criticised for being complicit in Saudi Arabia’s “sportswashing” and disingenuous in its protestations about the kingdom’s human-rights record. Tiger Woods reportedly turned down an offer worth $700 million to $800 million. The deal is seen as providing international legitimacy to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is seeking to counter criticism of his country’s human-rights abuses. The merger ends a battle that started with LIV Golf’s founding in 2021 as a rival to the PGA Tour. Backed by a $600 billion fund, the project boasted golf legend Greg Norman as commissioner and lured stars such as Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka. The notoriously fun-loving Saudis had tried to loosen things up, with music and looser dress codes at events. The move has been criticised for ignoring the country’s human-rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture, and for being an act of shamelessness.