LIV Golf (Saudi PIF), "Mergers," and More

[iacas]

1 hour ago, Vinsk said:

Yeah I get that. But wasn’t more money known to be the driving force from the get go? Eventually this tour will have to draw interest. They have a lot of money but it won’t last forever if people aren’t watching. And the likes of Westwood, Kaymer, Donald aren’t gonna draw much attention I’d think.

The Saudi Investment Fund is pretty freaking big. It’ll last as long as they want it to last.

[GolfLug]

29 minutes ago, iacas said:

The Saudi Investment Fund is pretty freaking big. It’ll last as long as they want it to last.

I would think the returns from the tour in itself are peanuts for whatever much effort they are putting in even if they start making some. IMO they don't even care for it to be financially self-sustaining let alone make money. I think the driving force is them getting PR of a softer image to the world. ..a big o'l commercial. Ya know.. so that we keep buying oil from them and all with less guilt. 

[DeadMan]

1 hour ago, Vinsk said:

Yeah I get that. But wasn’t more money known to be the driving force from the get go? Eventually this tour will have to draw interest. They have a lot of money but it won’t last forever if people aren’t watching. And the likes of Westwood, Kaymer, Donald aren’t gonna draw much attention I’d think.

Like @iacas said, the money isn't going to be an issue. The Saudi PIF is worth somewhere between $620 billion and $1 trillion, from what I can gather online. The Saudi league is supposed to have 8 events with a total $225 million purse. Conservatively, you double that for expenses, and you're looking at over half a billion dollars a year. The Saudi PIF can bankroll that for basically as long as it wants.

I don't think the Saudis are in this to make money, at least in the short term. I don't think there was any circumstance where this was going to be profitable right away. This might actually be cheaper for them without having to pay Bryson $100 million to join up front.

[jmanbooyaa]

I wonder if someone like Anthony Kim is interested. That could be his way to play pro again. He could make the money the insurance co can’t provide and get to play again. 

[Vinsk]

41 minutes ago, DeadMan said:

Like @iacas said, the money isn't going to be an issue. The Saudi PIF is worth somewhere between $620 billion and $1 trillion, from what I can gather online. The Saudi league is supposed to have 8 events with a total $225 million purse. Conservatively, you double that for expenses, and you're looking at over half a billion dollars a year. The Saudi PIF can bankroll that for basically as long as it wants.

I don't think the Saudis are in this to make money, at least in the short term. I don't think there was any circumstance where this was going to be profitable right away. This might actually be cheaper for them without having to pay Bryson $100 million to join up front.

Sweet mother of lambs, ok. I didn’t realize they were backing this thing with that kind of bankroll. Move along…nothing to see here…

[Double Mocha Man]

2 hours ago, DeadMan said:

This might actually be cheaper for them without having to pay Bryson $100 million to join up front.

Why would they want a guy who shoots in the 80's?  😃

[boogielicious]

2 hours ago, GolfLug said:

I would think the returns from the tour in itself are peanuts for whatever much effort they are putting in even if they start making some. IMO they don't even care for it to be financially self-sustaining let alone make money. I think the driving force is them getting PR of a softer image to the world. ..a big o'l commercial. Ya know.. so that we keep buying oil from them and all with less guilt. 

“Hey there! Y’all know we murder journalists, but we like golf too! Come on down to one of our tournaments!”

[Double Mocha Man]

1 minute ago, boogielicious said:

“Hey there! Y’all know we murder journalists, but we like golf too! Come on down to one of our tournaments!”

We even serve pimento cheese sandwiches, just like at the Masters.  But please don't look too close at the ingredients.

[turtleback]

1 hour ago, Double Mocha Man said:

We even serve pimento cheese sandwiches, just like at the Masters.  But please don't look too close at the ingredients.

Soylent green.

[Pretzel]

17 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

We even serve pimento cheese sandwiches, just like at the Masters.  But please don't look too close at the ingredients.

They certainly won't have any of the BBQ pork sandwiches for attendees though, unfortunately. Or $4 beers, considering there won't be any beer at all.

Edited April 12, 2022 by Pretzel

[hunterdog]

22 hours ago, boogielicious said:

“Hey there! Y’all know we murder journalists, but we like golf too! Come on down to one of our tournaments!”

Hello friends.  From our NJ tournament location, you can almost see where we flew the planes into the Towers.  But we really like golf…

[jmanbooyaa]

I just read a NY Post article that says Bubba , NA, Westwood and Poulter are heading to the Saudi League. 

[Vinsk]

Bubba? That must’ve taken some real soul searching….😒

[jmanbooyaa]

The players that are joining as speculated so far are past their prime for sure and this is obviously the ultimate retirement fund for them. Bubba going makes sense for him. He ahas stated he plans on retiring after set amount of wins on tour and will always be able to play the Masters. Not shocked by hearing Poulter, Westwood or Donalds name.  This could effect RC captains picks. If true than McDowell would potentially be picked in 2025 at Bethpage. 

Release the damn names already. 

[Zeph]

As a committed Christian, I’m surprised to see Bubba mentioned. Still only rumors, so who knows.

[iacas]

13 minutes ago, Zeph said:

As a committed Christian, I’m surprised to see Bubba mentioned. Still only rumors, so who knows.

Yeah, and he released a schedule…

[DeadMan]

So the Saudi events are just going to be amateur events apparently.

https://www.si.com/golf/news/liv-golf-invitational-series-set-to-invite-top-amateurs-pros-will-play-on-per-event-basis

Really seems like they haven't gotten any interest from pros and are just throwing whatever will stick against the wall at this point. Seems strange.

[iacas]

1 minute ago, DeadMan said:

So the Saudi events are just going to be amateur events apparently.

https://www.si.com/golf/news/liv-golf-invitational-series-set-to-invite-top-amateurs-pros-will-play-on-per-event-basis

Really seems like they haven't gotten any interest from pros and are just throwing whatever will stick against the wall at this point. Seems strange.

That’s not quite what that says. It just said there are no members this year. It doesn’t say all players are ams.