PGA Tour merger with LIV Golf welcomed by Asian Tour boss, says it ‘validates decision’ to side with Saudi Arabia
- Asian Tour CEO Cho Minn Thant welcomes deal, calling it ‘massive stride forward for game’
- Tuesday’s shocking announcement was a surprise to all but a select few, and even LIV officials had been kept in the dark
The head of the Asian Tour said on Wednesday that he welcomed the merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour’s CEO, called it a “massive stride forward for the game”.
Tuesday’s announcement that the game’s three biggest organisations were combining to form a new entity shocked the sport, especially as so few people actually knew it was happening.
According to Asian Tour insiders, the first anyone there knew about it was when PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan and PIF governor Yasir Al Rumayyan appeared on television to reveal the deal.
Executives at LIV Golf, which is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia through PIF, were said to have been stunned, while the company’s CEO, Greg Norman, was only told hours before the landmark agreement was made public.
The Asian Tour has also benefited from massive investment from LIV and its Saudi backers. The US$300 million that helped launch the International Series also put it on a level footing with the DP World Tour.
Players were also given a pathway to the LIV Golf League, with last year’s series winner Scott Vincent playing their this season, while spots also supposedly up for grabs at a promotions event later this year.
With everyone apart from a select few left in the dark about the future of the sport and despite a lack of information on how the new partnership will affect his organisation, Cho said the “hugely significant development validates our well-documented decision to collaborate with Golf Saudi and LIV Golf to elevate the Asian Tour’s standing in the game”.
“We were always confident a solution would be found, and we are delighted it has come so soon following a turbulent period for golf globally,” Cho said.
“The Asian Tour looks forward to contributing to the ongoing dialogue and playing our part in helping to build a model and structure for the Tours to work together so that we can all enjoy what will arguably be the most exciting period for professional golf.”
Separately, the PGA of Australia said it had held talks with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour overnight to “discuss the details of the agreement”.
“These discussions are ongoing as we continue to ensure any new arrangements deliver positive benefits to our tour, all of our members, the entire Australasian golfing community and those who love the game,” Gavin Kirkman, its CEO, said.
