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

[GolfLug]

On 2/14/2023 at 6:06 PM, DeadMan said:

How dumb is James Hahn?

Holy shit. 

I wish I could read Shipnuck's mind as he starts smirking towards the end. 

Even 'His Excellency's must have trouble muffling a full throated laugh..

[Vinsk]

‘ How excellent would it be if 10 years from now human rights get better!?’

But until then, they’re signing paychecks and life is just grand! 😒

[sjduffers]

48 minutes ago, Vinsk said:

‘ How excellent would it be if 10 years from now human rights get better!?’

But until then, they’re signing paychecks and life is just grand! 😒

Kinda like: "I just joined the Gestapo. I am thinking that I could change Adolf's mind in 10 years"?  Maybe not quite literally, but close enough. That guy is just completely clueless!  SMH.

[Elmer]

4 minutes ago, sjduffers said:

Kinda like: "I just joined the Gestapo. I am thinking that I could change Adolf's mind in 10 years"?  Maybe not quite literally, but close enough. That guy is just completely clueless!  SMH.

More like- "I just joined the Gestapo, for an obscene amount of money. But I don't share their values. While my beliefs are different, I am hoping to bring about change from within, with making no noticeable effort to bring about change.  I am thinking that If Adolf's mind changes in 10 years, it was due to my taking an obscene amount of money to dance with the devil"

[jmanbooyaa]

BK is coming back to the Pga tour. Ha ha ah

[boogielicious]

7 hours ago, ChetlovesMer said:

There is no doubt, James, that would be pretty cool. 

I'm going out on a limb here, that doesn't "feel" very likely. 

Kind of like how Dennis Rodman was able to really help Kim Jong Un see the light...

Puppets often don’t feel the hand of the puppet master up their backside.

[iacas]

Judge deals LIV Golf major legal blow in PGA Tour suit

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A judge dealt LIV Golf a significant legal blow on Thursday night, ruling the PGA Tour could compel documents from Saudi PIF officials.

On Thursday night, a federal judge ruled that PGA Tour lawyers could depose the Saudi Public Investment Fund, including PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, for documents related to the fund and its involvement as LIV Golf’s principal financier. Al-Rumayyan and the PIF had sought protection from the Tour’s legal probes — which threaten to unearth information about the highly secretive fund — on the grounds of “sovereign immunity,” a premise rejected by judge Susan Van Keulen’s ruling.

[woodzie264]

6 minutes ago, iacas said:

Judge deals LIV Golf major legal blow in PGA Tour suit

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A judge dealt LIV Golf a significant legal blow on Thursday night, ruling the...

On Thursday night, a federal judge ruled that PGA Tour lawyers could depose the Saudi Public Investment Fund, including PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, for documents related to the fund and its involvement as LIV Golf’s principal financier. Al-Rumayyan and the PIF had sought protection from the Tour’s legal probes — which threaten to unearth information about the highly secretive fund — on the grounds of “sovereign immunity,” a premise rejected by judge Susan Van Keulen’s ruling.

whooo hooo!

 

[jmanbooyaa]

I just rewatched the 2020(21) Ryder Cup. Hearing the Rory interview after his singles match with all that emotion sums up why the move to LiV is foolish. He says emphatically what a privilege it is to be a part of an American or European team. Great ambassador for the game and PGA tour. I will always route for a player like that to win(maybe not so much during the Cup). Team USA 2023. 

[jmanbooyaa]

As per Espn. Dustin Johnson will be ending his 15 year sponsorship with Adidas. 

[iacas]

LIV Golf news: Dustin Johnson, Adidas end 15-year relationship

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“We wish Dustin nothing but success moving forward.”

Adidas parts ways with DJ and Sergio.

[chspeed]

Was watching Golf Central tonight, and saw a piece in which one newscaster was pushing another regarding the difference between LIV golf tour and the Saudi's involvement on the LPGA tour through Aramco. Seems like Aramco sponsors one tournaments and "elevates" others, increasing their purse.

The second newscaster was pointing out that it's different because LIV golf is almost completely owned and controlled by the Saudis, while they're only sponsoring/elevating some events on the LPGA tour.

This is a classic slippery slope, or course. If you're critically opposed to sportswashing, why is one acceptable and the other isn't? That said, I'm OK with solving slippery slopes with schelling fences, but the question is, where do you put it? Is it a controlling stake? Is it any involvement?

 

In other LIV news:

LIV Golf members allowed to play in the Open, the R&A has announced

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Notable LIV golfers exempt include Cam Smith, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by chspeed

[iacas]

1 hour ago, chspeed said:

This is a classic slippery slope, or course. If you're critically opposed to sportswashing, why is one acceptable and the other isn't? That said, I'm OK with solving slippery slopes with schelling fences, but the question is, where do you put it? Is it a controlling stake? Is it any involvement?

It is a little different, for not only the reasons pointed out, but the fact that they're elevating women's events, while one of their many human rights issues is poor treatment of women.

[Elmer]

 

 

PGA Tour competitive drama exposes the folly of LIV Golf - The Washington Post

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Recent PGA Tour competitive drama exposes the folly of upstart rival tour before its new season opens.

 

[boogielicious]

From the article above for those that don’t subscribe.

Quote

The airborne toxic event called LIV golf is slowly dissipating, and soon all that will be left is the mere faint scent of its portable toilets. The failures are piling up so fast that the PGA Tour may not even need lawyers to beat LIV. It’s going to beat itself with its own sour-smelling hustle, its jinks-on-the links-for-clinks gutter golf.

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The news value of its debut last year, championed with patent unease by Phil Mickelson, has long faded. What’s left is just the militant fruitcakery of Greg Norman, whose emanations from his empty luminescent head never quite form into actual substance.

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Golf, but louder,” is one of LIV’s slogans, but all that apparently refers to is Ian Poulter’s pants by Pixar. Poulter is at least a likable star, more audience-friendly than laconic burnout cases such as Brooks Koepka, or that aging inveterate scrounger Mickelson, who apparently would take checks from the slaughter of dolphins to get whole.

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From the outset, LIV was a home for buttercup-bellied moral cowards clutching at cash from a murderous regime, but it quickly has evolved into a refuge for guys who have lost their taste for competition. Who cares who “wins” more money among such a scrabbling bunch? Only the torrent of blood-spattered Saudi coin made Norman’s follies viable in the first place, and now the best young guys are turning down the money. LIV’s incursion is failing, and eventually all that will be left is the unpleasant smell of its corruptions.

 

[woodzie264]

4 hours ago, boogielicious said:

From the article above for those that don’t subscribe.

 

Thanks for posting since I couldn’t read it. Sounds about right - they can’t die off fast enough. 

[jmanbooyaa]

If Liv players are allowed to accumulate points such as in the majors and actually automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup it will be a real shit show and no longer be about country and team. I do not like the PGA of Americas stance on this. 

[boogielicious]

LIV Golf gets another setback in court fight with PGA Tour - The Boston Globe

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It is the second setback in the last week for Saudi-funded LIV Golf, which has accused the PGA Tour of monopolistic actions.

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A federal judge has ruled the PGA Tour can add Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and its governor, Yasir al-Rumayyan, as defendants in its countersuit in the ongoing legal fight with LIV Golf.

The ruling Tuesday by US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman was the second setback in the last week for Saudi-funded LIV Golf, which has accused the PGA Tour of monopolistic actions as the rival league gets started.

So much winning!