R&A held SECRET TALKS with LIV Golf boss at The Open confirms shock report
R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers held secret talks with LIV Golf boss and Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan at The Open.
Already set up with LIV Golf and on the verge of a shock merger with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly now going after the R&A.
According to a report in Telegraph Sport by James Corrigan, Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and his key associate Amanda Staveley are said to have met with R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers shortly before Brian Harman etched his name on the famous Claret Jug at the 151st Open Championship on Sunday.
It is understood Al-Rumayyan and Staveley, who also run Newcastle United Football Club, were invited to attend the final round of The Open at Royal Liverpool by HSBC, one of the primary sponsors of the R&A.
When LIV Golf first emerged on the scene little more than 12 months ago, the R&A refused to entertain any ideas of a partnership with Saudi Arabia.
But fast forward to the present day and it would appear as though the R&A, the custodian of the game's values, is ready to explore how Saudi's wealth can be put to best use both for themselves and its myriad investments in grassroots golf.
Corrigan writes in Telegraph Sport:
The latest update makes even more sense after listening to what Slumbers had to say in the media centre prior to the start of The Open last week.
The boss of the R&A told reporters on 19 July the governing body simply cannot continue to ignore the changes that have been made in world sport.
Slumbers, 53, said the power struggle between the PGA Tour and LIV was 'tearing golf apart' and the constant talk of money was 'damaging the perception of our sport worldwide in the eyes of a number of young people'.
Related: Senior player 'targeted' at The Open
"I think the world has changed in the last year," he said when asked if The Open would accept cash from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). "It's not just golf."
He continued:
Slumbers also addressed the "complex problem" surrounding LIV Golf's OWGR bid.
Slumbers said he was 'waiting to learn more' about the shock agreement that was announced between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the PIF on 6 June.
He stressed the R&A was not party to the agreement but 'welcomed' an end to the disruption in the men's professional game.
"We will await the outcome with interest," he said, before sending his best wishes to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
The same can now very much be said of the R&A's relationship with Saudi Arabia.
More GolfMagic articles from the 2023 Open Championship
- The coolest thing about The Open, according to Rory
- Why Tiger Woods isn't playing The Open
- Spieth channels inner child
- Stenson launched impassioned LIV Golf defence
- Cam Smith fires warning shot to Rory
- Cam Smith defends Greg Norman
- McIlroy snubs media duties (again!)
- Feature: Oliver Wilson interview
- Koepka fires back over Rory question
- Paige Spiranac weighs in on enduring debate
- Players briefed about Just Stop Oil
- Jon Rahm backs PGA Tour boss
- Fitzy downplays his Open chances
- R&A boss on Saudi investment for The Open
- Hideki caught 'twerking' on the range
- Senior player 'targeted' by activist
- McIlroy finally speaks to the media!
- R&A announces new tournament
- You won't miss Viktor Hovland this week
- Tiger arrives at The Open
- Pat Reed blasts merger
- Who is Christo Lamprecht?
- Par-3 17th claims first victim!
- Matt Jordan's other-worldly bunker shot
- Patrick Reed with explosive comments
- Fleetwood raises hopes of Open success
- How Paige Spiranac celebrated The Open
- Wyndham Clark hits spectator's iPad
- Ernie Els rages with PGA Tour top brass
- Rickie Fowler labelled 'a coward'
- An outrageous McIlroy par save
- Lefty almost wipes out Collin
- Brooks Koepka with frosty response to reporter
- Shane Lowry loses his cool
- Rickie and Rory discuss JT
- Brian Harman hates this nickname
- Paddy reacts to Talor Gooch distraction
- ZJ concerned with JT
- Scheffler on giant TVs distracting him
- Jon Rahm shuts down reporter
- Who is Alex Fitzpatrick's girlfriend?
- McIlroy's major woes continue
- Hot mics capture all-time Rahm rant
- Harman reveals nasty comment that fuelled Open success
- McIlroy a 'Greek god' but time no longer on his side, says Chamblee
Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
