The Public Investment Fund of the LIV Golf Organization: A Case Study in the Saudi Arabian Golf Organization and the Emerging PGA Tour Correspondence

LIV Golf gained a foothold which guarantees it an outsize influence in the game after a long struggle, especially in the United States, where the PGA Tour has long dominated mens professional golf. The Saudi state entity bankrolling the golf organization will have the governor of the fund become chairman, it was announced before it had a name.

LIV Golf had sparked a crisis for the PGA Tour, which has scrambled to reinvent its economic model as it has watched some of its biggest stars switch circuits. LIV has been a target of criticism, skepticism, and litigation. Although much about the circuit’s operations remains unclear — many documents that would reveal details are under court seal — some information about its structure and its operations has emerged in legal filings, interviews, business records and internal documents reviewed by The New York Times. Some LIV critics claim that the sports is being used for distraction from Saudi Arabias record of human rights abuses.

The Public Investment Fund will initially be the exclusive investor of the blended operation, which includes the established tours, including the DP World Tour. Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour commissioner, is expected to be the new group’s chief executive, with Yasir al-Rumayyan, the wealth fund’s governor, installed as its chairman.

The wealth fund and the PGA Tour stated on Tuesday they would implement a plan to grow the businesses, drive fan engagement and accelerate growth already underway.