Jay Monahan updates players on ‘constructive’ PIF negotiations

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has provided his players with an update on fresh discussions with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Monahan, who met with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Bahamas yesterday, told tour pros in a memo that the negotiations were ‘constructive’.

Meanwhile, the American noted that Al-Rumayyan was given the opportunity to explain his vision and motivations for investing in professional golf.

“The conversation throughout was constructive and represents an important part of our due diligence process in selecting potential investors for PGA Tour Enterprises,” the memo read.

“This mirrored the approach we employed earlier this year as we evaluated an investment offer from the Strategic Sports Group.

“During the session Yasir had the chance to introduce himself to our Player Directors and talk through his vision, priorities and motivations for investing in professional golf.

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“As we continue these discussions with the PIF, we will keep you updated as much as possible, but please understand that we need to maintain our position of not conducting negotiations in public.”

An original report suggested that the talks were set to take place at a private residence in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, following the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

Instead, flight trackers showed the group was Bahamas-bound, opting to conduct the latest set of unifying negotiations at Albany.

It comes after Monahan confirmed he met with the LIV Golf chairman in Saudi Arabia in January and that he was accompanied by representatives of the SSG.

In January, SSG invested $1.5 billion into PGA Tour Enterprises, the new commercial entity formed in the wake of last years ‘Framework Agreement’.

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At The PLAYERS, Monahan said: “While we have several key issues that we still need to work through, we have a shared vision to quiet the noise and unlock golf’s worldwide potential.

“It’s going to take time, but I reiterate what I said at the Tour Championship in August. I see a positive outcome for the PGA Tour and the sport as a whole.”

After his final round at TPC Sawgrass, Patrick Cantlay, one of the PGA Tour’s Player Directors, confirmed a meeting was scheduled on Monday.

A group of players on the board of directors were in the Bahamas alongside Jay Monahan, including Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth.

And, according to reports from Dan Rapaport, Woods will play golf with Al-Rumayyan during their time at Albany.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.