'Uh, uh-huh, yeah
Uh, uh-huh, yeah
(It's all about the Benjamins, baby)
Uh, uh-huh, yeah
(It's all about the Benjamins, baby)
Goodfellas, uh (lyrics by Sean Combs)
So in the end the Saudi's bought golf.
It's not the news the majority of the golf world wanted.
But before we get in to that, let's start by sparing a thought for Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
I mean, it must be a nightmare buying birthday presents for a Crown Prince, right?
Two years ago he bought him Greg Norman and LIV. But they turned out to be a bit shit and didn't really work.
The Prince stopped playing with them ages ago.
Both are headed for a listing on Gumtree.
Last year was a big improvement. Newcastle United has proved a much better buy and looks to be a keeper.
But Muhammed bin Salman Al Sad (aka MBS) is a golf nut.
So this year, Al-Rumayyan has gone for the ultimate - he's bought him...the game of golf.
How's he done it?
Well it wouldn't have been possible without the help of PGA Tour Commissioner Joseph (Jay) Monahan.
In a breath-taking volte-face Monahan announced last week that the PGA and DP World Tour are forming a new partnership with the Saudi PIF.
Given his previous comments about the Saudi funded LIV tour it seems fair to call Monahan a hypocrite. Why not, he's admitted as much himself.
But we know he's got principles.
In 2017 he told Golf Digest that he doesn't like people wearing hats in the clubhouse.
Nor is he happy about untucked shirts.
So far so good, but in the same interview, Joseph admitted to a U-turn regarding mobile phones at golf tournaments. ' My view has changed - a lot. We have to be open to change'. (Golf Digest)
There it was...hidden in plain sight...evidence that Monahan will change his mind if he thinks it's in the best interests of the game.
And in the case of this new partnership it seems ideals had to be sacrificed for 'a deal'.
Monahan's principles crushed like road kill beneath the wheels of a juggernaut overladen with Saudi riyals.
It was a collision that, despite other routes being attempted, seemingly couldn't be avoided.
Others more enlightened than golf101 have set out the issues in the days following last weeks announcement.
I think Ross Atkins does a pretty neat job in summing up the story so far.
Like it or not* we are left having to accept that the world, like golf, is not a game of perfect.
*For the record, golf 101 is a big fan of freedom of speech, and equal rights in all things.
Likewise, we are firmly against homophobia, the assassination of journalists, the death penalty and terrorism.
And like Rory, we definitely still hate LIV.
But ultimately, it's all about the Benjamins baby.
Or as a good friend of mine's favourite band puts it:
'Money talks, BS walks, money talks, come on, come on'.
('Money Talks' AC/DC, lyrics by Angus and Malcolm Young)
Comments