Let’s make this clear right up front — paying multi-millionaire golfers millions of dollars to show up in Saudi Arabia to play golf in front of no one isn’t about growing the game. It’s all about power and money.
This Saudi International lured some really big names — Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau, Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood — just to name a few. The money being paid up front to these name players is said to be in the $2-$10 million range. Yes, serious stuff, serious money, paid out by a country where golf is a non-factor. That was evident on day one at Royal Greens. Basically, no one showed up, no spectators, no one there in King Abdullah Economic City where the course is surrounded by empty buildings — no one person on a villa balcony.
Saudi Arabia isn’t exactly a tourist destination. None of the guys back at your club are going to say: “Hey, forget Scotland — let’s go play in Saudi Arabia.”
Truth be known it’s a dangerous place for anyone who lives there and dare speak out against The Regime — and it is a “Regime” that controls things within The Kingdom. It’s akin to a Police State — tow the line or bad things can happen. Yet there’s D.J. and friends lending some sort of credibility to this Asian Tour stop.
Earlier this week Norman went all Kumbaya on us — proclaiming how great the proposed league is for golf — how great it is for the star players and that both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour (European Tour) should welcome it with open arms.
“We’ve identified a new opportunity out of a lost opportunity, and I mean that in all sincerity,” Norman said. “The lost opportunity people should be embracing; other institutions should be embracing. We are very, very respectful and will always be open, and I’m always going to be a healthy, friendly competitor, and that’s important to know, because the market is huge and it’s open for everybody, and we’re going to have these open pathways.”
So let’s break that down. When Greg referred to “other institutions” he was talking about both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour. Friendly competitor? It’s hardly friendly when your new business relies on pulling players away from existing businesses.
And with some names in town, the questions were flying regarding offers from Norman and his Saudi compatriots.
Mickelson has said in the past that he is “intrigued” by this proposed league. When asked if he has an offer from Norman and The Gang, Lefty did the old soft-shoe around the subject simply saying: “I think every player has been contacted.” Then Lefty added: “It’s a softer way of saying, of answering your question directly. I’m just saying that pretty much every player in the top 100 I would say in the world rankings has been contacted at some point, absolutely.”
There was a real eye-opener when Lee Westwood was grilled about Norman and The Gang.
Westwood is obviously a prime target for Commissioner Sharky and his Saudi Marauders. Westy is approaching 50 and a big chunk of change might be hard to resist. Now here’s the bombshell: When asked about the proposed league and offers, Westwood dropped this:
“I don’t know whether I want to answer questions on that,’’ he said. “I’ve signed an NDA.”
In the world of business and real estate, an “NDA” is a Non-Disclosure-Agreement. They are usually reserved for corporate acquisitions when sensitive financials are presented as part of a buyer’s due diligence during said acquisition. Ditto for real estate. You’re getting rent rolls, financials, copies of tenant leases.
So what was put in front of Westwood that required an “NDA?”
Well, let’s just point out again how secretive things are in “The Kingdom.”
Secrets aside, NDAs aside, info is already being leaked. Word got out that Ian Poulter was offered something in the $30 million range. Seriously? Poulter is ranked 59th in the world. If his package is $30 million, what would D.J.’s offer look like? Well, here’s a clue, something called the Sportsmail Report has thrown out the claim that Commish Greg and His Sinister Band of Saudis are offering ball-crushing Bryson DeChambeau a cool $135 million to leave the PGA Tour behind and become the face of this proposed league. Yes, $135 million. On top of that, the report claimed that Commish Greg’s Sinister Band of Saudis are prepared to pump $1.5 billion into the proposed league. Naturally, Bryson totally denied said report.
Yikes.
Yet there’s Norman, sitting there telling anyone who is listen that this entire bruhaha “is for the good of the game.”
Which is pure bullshit with an Australian accent.
This has nothing to do with growing the game in “The Kingdom.” It has nothing to do with the good of the game.
It’s all about power and money.
Oh by the way, in case you’re interested, Matteo Manassero (remember him?) shot an eight-under par 62 to set the first round pace at Royal Greens.
Not sure who’s interested but judging by the peace and quiet out there and the 25 spectators, no one in The Kingdom really gives a hoot about this event.
Perhaps the Saudis will pay “appearance fees” for spectators to show up on the weekend.
Saudi International Scoreboard:
Day Two Saudi Update: It really came as no surprise when Bryson DeChambeau withdrew prior to the second round. citing his on-going left wrist problem but then added a left-hip issue. DeChambeau shot 73 Thursday and was in danger of missing the cut as it was. Bryson’s got health problems, for sure. After a calm first round, the winds came up on Friday. Harold Varner III was the 36-hole co-leader at 10-under along with Spain’s Adri Arnaus. The winds started off at 15-miles per hour but increased for the afternoon wave. First round leader Manassero was in full retreat, he finished with a 73 and fell back to five-under par, tied with him was D.J., who shot 71 after his opening 65. Again, day two was virtually devoid of spectators.
8 Comments
baxter cepeda
I watched Manassero and GCs day 1 coverage of this Asian tour event no different than Jordan at Pebble and all those no name players at the DP World tour even this week…And was very excited to see Manassero, whom I consider a Rose, Sergio, Cam Smith kinda player, meaning high quality, show signs of coming out of his dreadful slump.
I’m watching day 2 as I write, looking forward to see if the Italian can keep it up. Meanwhile Watching Phil looking quite relevant.
There’s a lot to agree with you Tom. But there’s also a lot to agree with Phil and Greg.
This is about power and money, no doubt. And there’s some serious human rights issues to consider. But as I’ve said before that argument is getting played out in a world where money talks.
Here’s the thing about growing the game: This kingdom is clearly using golf to grow its image, development, tourism, and future economy.
Eventually unbelievable development will engulf this course and others. Once that happens more and more ex pats will be there and will attend the event, the way they do in Dubai and elsewhere. As that happens little by little golf amongst the Saudis will very slowly grow. So there you go, growing the game.
They did mention in the coverage they have development goals for golf specifically and planned initiatives to grow participation in the sport from nationals and visitors to this country.
Greg is trying to be cool. The fact is his league would bring more money to the sport, also more people to the game. And It seems Norman wants to work with the established tours so it works for everyone.
Yes, The established tours would lose key players for tournaments but that would also be there for others. It seems Greg is saying this league will not inflict on key events for the regular tours and majors.
Regardless. Personally I wouldn’t stop watching The Sony because the few big names at that tournament aren’t there. A few years ago Sony had Jordan, JT and the pack. When they stopped visiting Honolulu the prize money didn’t go down. People didn’t stop attending and watching.
For me the key in all this is scheduling. The Saudi league needs to be transparent and clear when and where players would be needed. From that the pga tour and the other tours can negotiate the schedule, but ultimately strategically prepare their schedule so as top players can attend a good number of their events, especially the best events on their tours, and of course the playoffs (which the pga tour still need fixing but this isn’t about that).
Now, to the Saudis, 135$ mill for Bryson sounds like a lot but in a sports world where Mahomes was given half a billion for a decade —to play 20 days a year in a mostly domestic sport — it’s really not. Especially since these golfers would need to travel to God knows where.
To get a Rory type player it’s gonna take north of a quarter billion. Tiger may be half a billion. Phil may be negotiating hard with the pga tour but could probably play his cards better with the Saudis.
Anyhow, make no mistake, even the guys whom already said no, like Rory, can still be given a deal they cannot refuse. Especially if they can still play the majors and their favorite pga tour events.
All I know is, if I have to go to some app or some website, or some streaming service to watch this new league, I’ll stick to what I’m doing with my golf channel. Big names or not.
But even if the Saudi league seamlessly adds itself to the Golf channel schedule, I’ll still watch the other tours.
The way Matteo had been playing the last year or so I’m not sure the Saudis would have called him. So even if that league was going strong today, I would still be watching Manassero wherever the DP world tour is this week.
And where else am I gonna watch Hootie play golf if not at the Atnt. At Pebble, It doesn’t even matter who’s playing. I’m still watching it.
This really can work, for me at least.
Tom Edrington
Sadly for you, Matteo vanished….again, no stars are going to join that league, it won’t happen….you won’t see a Rory or a Tiger, or anyone of note for that matter. Sorry, not happening, just like Matteo vanishing from the leaderboard…..you lost credibility comparing Matteo to Rose and Cam Smith……an insult to Rose and Smith….
baxter cepeda
Manassero is the youngest ever to win the British Am—finishing 13th at the Open later that year — and youngest to win on the DP world tour at 16, – tour he has 4 wins.
He has as much pedigree as those guys. He has struggled mightily of late, which is a shame, but seems to be finding his way back slowly.
Again, IMO, all the tours should want to work together to pump this new money into the sport without sacrificing the old money that has been coming in. I love the pga tour. But forever is a long time to dominate anything. Eventually the pga tour will have to adjust to a changing landscape, and it just may be happening now. If not, we would not be talking PIP and waivers and so on.
As for the players, let’s focus on the big 3 of today:
Rory said he would never be in the Olympics and then was.
Phil is clearly interested.
But the big cat is ultimately what matters right?
Tiger showed loyalty for the pga tour. But if Tiger can play the 4 majors, it’s reasonable he would take half a billion to play 10 times a year or so wherever they want him to.
Tom Edrington
Nope, no Tiger…..he hates long flights and so does his body…..you sound like Greg Norman, Baxter……maybe they’ll offer you %10 million to be the league-that-won’t-happen’s PR guy.
baxter cepeda
I’ll take it.
But really I’m just a little further ahead than you thinking this will never happen. It’s still a long shot but it can happen.
The reason it can is because This is potentially billions of dollars pumped into golf at the highest level. We know These pga Tour pros are scared of anything new but eventually they adapt, as they have with the fed ex cup, the Olympics and more.
We’re talking billions here. Make no mistake all the players may be scared to pull the trigger first but they are all listening very carefully. Even the guys like Rory who said no thanks right away have to have heard things from Phil and others lately to at least make them stop and listen some more. Because clearly the more the players listen the more millions are thrown at them.
As for Phil and his suspension. We really don’t know do we? Phil could have been fined or quietly suspended for some of those issues but we know the tour does not disclose such issues.
Phil didn’t say anything when he was on the player council because there wasn’t someone trying to give players billions of dollars then. There is now.
Look I absolutely love the pga tour. I would change some courses but just love that tour, spend countless hours on it. But things change in life, and the pga tour is no exception. The pga tour may survive all this, but thanks to the Saudis many things will have to change for the pga tour to keep the status quo.
Tom Edrington
Won’t happen because European Tour will get with its member countries — only venues would be Saudi Arabia and Asia……as I said before, these guys would be players without a country…..you think PHil would give up Ryder Cup captaincy and let Tiger have the last word? Quite simply, to achieve this “team concept” they’d have to have a LOT of players and these guys have no interest in “team golf” — it’s tough enough to get them together for something like the Ryder Cup. Won’t happen.
baxter cepeda
I’ve never been big on the team golf concept. I believe they would eventually mostly scratch that team concept.
This is about where can players make the most money? Obviously the Saudis would have to pay a lot more money.
But keep in mind Phil has made less than 100$ million playing over 30 years on the pga tour while Mahomes will make half a billion in his first 10 playing nfl football 20 days a year. 200 days world for half a billion. Good work if you can get it.
I believe all the threats from the establishment would eventually subside is players are on the same page. If the established organizations allow Players would still be able to play the majors, Ryder cups etc. As Norman said, they are respectful of the current landscape. Normans group seems to want to give players even more prosperous regular event options without effecting the big stuff.
Like I’ve said, everyone can work together to bring in these billions of dollars.
It’s not going to be easy. It may not happen. But it’s on the table for a reasons. The pga tour keeps changing giving more and more money for a reason.
Tom Edrington
You make money based on world rankings, as far as endorsement cash goes….pretty simple concept, that’s why they bought the ASIAN Tour, at least there were world ranking points at Saudi Invitational…..unless they got great players, world ranking points would fade and so would outside income….yes, Phil made “only” about $100 million but it’s that other $600-700 million that counts most…..I don’t think too many of our American sponsors are on board with the Saudis given their state of human rights.