"For capitalism, war and peace are business and nothing but business."
Karl Liebknecht - German Socialist
Well - that was crazy!
Given what has happened in the last 18 months in pro-golf many (ie all of us except Donald Trump) did not see a peace treaty/merger happen so soon. We recorded a PODCAST of our initial thoughts - listen here:
If you need a catch up - read here for a full timeline of legal events that led to the formation of the new entity and merging of commercial interests.
There is much conjecture about the winners & losers from this potential merger with both sides claiming victories (and it's possible this is partly a win/win).
A few things to consider (without having much info at all):
The Saudi government setting their sights on Pro golf was always going to be a tidal wave of power & cash for the PGA & DP World Tours to battle.
12 months ago - both PGAT and DPWT looked in dire straits as top players fled to LIV.
A few players rallied on PGAT side and stopped the bleeding, keeping the legacy of the tours above water but big financial promises were made to remaining players.
The antitrust case was going to be a beast - the Saudis were not keen at all on having dirty laundry aired whilst PGAT clearly also had some communications they didn't want to be made public in discovery, never mind the legal costs.
There is no doubt that the emergence of LIV - even if loss-making - forced the PGAT to start writing cheques they didn't have the cash for.
A negotiated settlement was a good result for both sides - the Saudis have a seat at the table and PGA remains in control & keeps its legacy.
SO WHAT HAPPENS FROM HERE?
Well - so far everything has been as predictable as Scottie Schefflers putter, however - lets game out a few scenarios:
Scenario 1 - World Golf Inc - Tours Continue and Expand
The PGAT/DPWT and LIV tours continue with current schedules into the foreseeable future. Players are free to move between tours and the Official World Golf Ranking amends their criteria for qualification which sees LIV players earning points. Hideki is "moved" to LIV which effectively becomes Asian Tour - ensuring World Golf Inc has tours (and eyeballs) across all 3 time zones.
Since all tour's commercial interests are now controlled by one body - an equilibrium in financial remuneration is reached between players. The PGAT continues to be the top-tier tour but many international stars continue to play on LIV to focus on majors and have a lighter schedule.
Patrick Reed and Rory pull Aramco-branded crackers together at the annual World Golf Inc Christmas party and Bryson makes everyone his favorite veggie smoothie for dessert. Phil and Jay Monahan toast each other both claiming "their plan came together". Greg Norman's invite is lost in the post.
Scenario 2 - LIV is buried
The World Golf Inc board - with a PGAT majority - agrees to kill LIV after the 2023 season. LIV players - with egos bursting and pockets full of jewels - are forced to return to either the DPWT or PGAT. Some even back to the Canadian mini-tour circuit.
Tiger takes over as tour commissioner from Jay Monahan and - together with Rory - sets up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) style committee where former LIV players will have to plead their case for re-entry into the PGAT/DPWT. Depending on their level of truth and previous "dickheadiness" the below criteria must be met for re-integration:
Brooks Koepka - Pays a non-disclosed donation to the "Don't let my daughter wind up like Jenna" foundation but is generally welcomed back to PGAT.
Taylor Gooch - Sent back to the Korn Ferry Q-School to work his way back up.
Sergio Garcia - PGAT flay out refuse his re-application. DPWT allow him to return after paying a 50 million Euro fine and undertaking a reenactment of the Boar on the Floor scene from Succession together with Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
Phil Mickelson - Refuses to stand in front of the TRC but is welcomed back to the Champions Tour after agreeing to sponsor 5 years' worth of prize money. He writes his auto-biography entitled "Out of Bounds" and invents a new oil-powered grilling machine called the "Aramco Animal" that steals significant market share from The George Foreman Grill.
Dustin Johnson - Is given the option of a $200m fine or passing a Grade 9 general knowledge test. Opts to pay the fine.
Patrick Reed - is sent to a driving range where he has to find a ball (amongst thousands) branded with a stamp saying PGA TOUR 4 LIFE at a distance of 50m. He finds it within a minute only to be told he was at the wrong range. Sent back to Korn Ferry Q school.
Bryson - The PGAT offer him an olive branch but he eats it live on YouTube. He complains that it's unfair he was omitted from Boar on the Floor and asks to Boar against the winner Lee Westood. He writes a large cheque to the PGAT foundation but it bounces when Rory goes to cash it due to De Chambeau's simultaneous investment in his own startup called "Beyond Bryson" - a venture that seeks to take his DNA and implant it in the alpha mammal of each continent.
Louis Oosthuisen - Generally welcomed back after donating 10 tractors to the PGAT Turf Academy. His past track record of never winning a tournament on US soil allows him easy re-entry as a "non-threat".
Kevin Na - Is forced to enter the Iron Heads into a local scramble charity competition that they need to win. They place 12th for 5 consecutive years and Na is last seen being escorted into the back office of a Vegas casino.
Scenario 3 - LIV becomes the new premium tour
With the moral outrage of accepting Saudi money now being cleansed by the PGAT - top players Xander, Cantlay, Rickie and Rahm all join LIV. The LIV teams start receiving outrageous investments from corporate brands Nike (SMASH), Adidas (TORQUE), Burger King (4ACES), and adult diaper manufacturer TENA (CLEEKS).
Jay Monahan - now an ARAMCO board member as well - overrules any other PGAT board members on World Golf Inc and the PGAT becomes a secondary feeder tour to LIV. Rory, Scottie, JT and Spieth start their own global tour for a few years but eventually come around and join LIV.
Rory - is offered the Cleeks captaincy which he turns down - but takes up a Vice Captain role on SMASH.
Rahm - Carlos Ortiz is initially bounced from the Fireballs Roster to make way but Rahm is after Sergios captain role. Sergio throws his toys and is eventually offered a co-captains role on the Majesticks.
Morikawa - Hyflyers all the way. Brendan Steele / James Piot and Tringale pitch their cases to Phil who eventually dispatches Steele to the Asian Tour.
JT / Rickie / Spieth - Insist on starting their own team - together with Smylie Kauffman - called The Bro's. Sadly the Ironheads are disbanded.
Scenario 4 - Nothing changes!
The LIV anti-trust case has exposed too many skeletons that the US Department of Justice can't ignore. World Golf Inc is stonewalled by anti-competitive boards around the world and we return to the trenches of a PGAT vs LIV world!
However, Donald Trump prevails in the US election and makes anti-trust issues disappear by banishing files to his man cave in Trump Towers. We now return to Scenario 1 or 2 or 3!
Regardless of the outcome - it certainly isn't business as usual in the world of golf which, as an international fan, can only be a good thing.
Let the games begin!
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