Tour pro told Saudi PIF will buy Wentworth

Eddie Pepperell claims he has been told that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) will buy Wentworth.

Speaking on the Chipping Forecast podcast, the Englishman said the sovereign wealth fund – which bankrolls LIV Golf – is set to take over the Surrey venue.

While Wentworth, host of the BMW PGA Championship, will be the first purchase, it might not be the last.

“Talking of the Saudis,” he started. “I was told this week, by someone who would know, that they are buying Wentworth.

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“The PIF are buying Wentworth, for sure. That’s what I was told.

“And they are interested in buying Sunningdale. Now that is more of a rumour but Wentworth by all accounts…”

Wentworth was acquired by Chinese investment company Reignwood in September 2014 and has been owned by the firm since.

They purchased the club – a former Ryder Cup host – for £135 million and immediately invested over £20 million in the club across all facilities.

Controversy surrounded the deal a decade ago, as members were forced to rejoin Wentworth and pay a £100,000 fee.

Meanwhile, Pepperell also pointed out the fact that the European Tour offices are at Wentworth.

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The DP World Tour, PGA Tour and LIV Golf bosses remain locked in talks over the future of the men’s professional game and a potential merger.

It comes after news that the PIF is set to scale back its spending on international investments, according to the Financial Times.

PIF governor Yasir al-Rumayyan confirmed that the proportion of its globally invested fund will reduce by around a third.

“Now our target is to bring it down to a range between 18 to 20 per cent,” Al-Rumayyan told a Future Investment Initiative Conference in Riyadh.

“We’re more focused on the domestic economy and we’ve been achieving and doing so many big things.”

bunkered has contacted Wentworth for comment.