PGA v LIV saga: Money, not morality, is the only compass in sport

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

PGA TOUR headquarters in Ponte Vedra. The TOUR spent years harvesting the fruits of their prominent status, attracting top talent and generous sponsorships. They used their seat at the table to concentrate power, exemplified by the uneven distribution of points in the Official World Golf Rankings, and access to major tournaments.

They arrogated a disproportionate share of ranking points to themselves, ensuring that any golfer aspiring for major glory needed to play in the USA, on the events operated by the TOUR. The rest of the world could only watch and oblige.

The arrival of LIV Golf, riding a wave of oil money from Saudi Arabia, is threatening to destabilise the TOUR’S hegemony. The sport has been at war since LIV Golf emerged from the shadows with a fraught opening show in London.

The runup to the event was marred by the moral quandaries of major champions turning out to play for an event operated by an oppressive regime with a dismal human rights record. Jay Monahan, the CEO of the TOUR invoked guilt, involved 9/11 families, and reminded players that they never had to apologise for playing in America.

But in this theatre of absurd drama and pernicious pretenses, the faux screen fell in a heap this June. In an orchestrated appearance on CNBC, Monahan turned cozy with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

PIF is the sovereign fund of Saudi Arabia, and the parent of LIV Golf. The voice of morality, legacy, and heritage suffered a slow death on live television.

The façade of principles gave way to a union of convenience for a framework agreement. The arrangement promised billions of dollars to PGA TOUR Enterprises, an entity to be created with Yasir at the helm, instead of the millions