PGA Tour exec BLASTS criticism of LIV Golf/PIF deal before Senate hearing
High-ranking PGA Tour executive Ron Price has addressed criticism over the LIV Golf/PIF deal ahead of a US Senate hearing.
High-ranking PGA Tour executive Ron Price says there is 'misinformation and misunderstanding' about the framework agreement with LIV Golf's backers ahead of a hearing before US lawmakers.
Price, the chief operating officer of the PGA Tour, wrote an op-ed for the Athetlic ahead of the congressional hearing on 11 July.
In the piece his chief complaint appeared to be that he believes there 'remains misinformation and misunderstanding' about the framework agreement that was announced on 6 June.
The golf world was knocked sideways when PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan appeared on CNBC alongside LIV Golf mastermind Yasir Al-Rumayyan after striking an agreement that would bring golf's leading organisations together under the umbrella of a new, for-profit company.
Days later all the litigation between the parties was dropped. Monahan, in particular, faced fierce criticism from some leading PGA Tour players for the about-face tour management policy. Rory McIlroy told of how he felt like the tour's sacrificial lamb.
Related: How Yasir shocked PGA Tour execs
| Jay Monahan has fired back at Congress, saying the PGA Tour were left to fend for itself against LIV Golf/Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/vatJO3rshr
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Monahan was accused of trying to emotionally blackmail the game's leading stars into not bolting for the rival golf league, bankrolled by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia.
The under fire boss was forced to step away from his day-to-day duties owing to an unexplained medical issue. He has now announced he will return to his role later this month.
Curiously, his return date is six days after Price and fellow PGA Tour policy board member Ed Herlihy were scheduled to appear before lawmakers on 11 July.
Price's letter in the Athletic outlined that he does regret the tour's messaging over the proposal.
In the initial PGA Tour news release announcing the deal, the word 'merger' was used.
Price contends it is anything but. "That's something we take full ownership of and deeply regret," he wrote.
The new, for-profit company is named PGA Tour Enterprises and will see the aforementioned PIF as a non-controlling minority investor.
He added:
Addressing why the agreement is happening, Price wrote:
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Picture: Senator Richard Blumenthal
He added:
The hearing on 11 July is part of a congressional probe that was opened by the senate's permanent subcommittee on investigations.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a democrat, has raised concerns with the agreement, citing issues with the Saudi government's role in the sport.
LIV boss Al-Rumayyan and their chief executive, Greg Norman, declined the invitation to attend the hearing and explain their positions.
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