Saudi golf investors ‘create compensation fund to reward players who stuck with PGA Tour in battle with LIV’… with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods set for BIG payday
- Some PGA Tour players turned down millions when offered a spot on the LIV Tour
- It has now been reported that they will be compensated by the Saudi PIF
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
PGA Tour players who have remained loyal and turned down LIV’s lucrative offers should be rewarded by the same people who tried to entice them, according to reports.
The world of golf was thrown into chaos last week when it was announced that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund would merge with the PGA Tour, bringing together two parties that had spent the last year at war.
While it’s not yet clear what the sport will look like as a result of this partnership, The Times reports that there are plans to reward PGA Tour players who have not bowed to the Saudi millions offered to them.
The report claims a ‘compensation fund’ is being set up for Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm which will give them back some of the money they missed out on by not joining the LIV Golf Tour in breakaway.
The plan will allow Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Lee Westwood – who left the PGA for LIV – to also keep the money they received, while handing over the PGA’s top players substantial cash to ‘boost’ their financial rewards. .
Saudi PIF ‘will compensate PGA Tour loyalists who refused to upgrade to LIV Golf’
The likes of Jon Rahm (pictured) are in line for a huge payday after missing out on LIV’s money
Specific numbers have yet to be released and the players are still in the dark as they gather at the Los Angeles Country Club for this week’s US Open.
LIV Golf’s future is also uncertain, with sources close to The Times saying it “will be phased out by the end of this year” to make way for a high-consumption tour with all players under one roof.
During a media interview last week, McIlroy was asked about the possibility of loyal PGA Tour players being compensated.
In response, he said: “The simple answer is yes. The complex answer is, how does this happen? It’s all a gray area and up in the air at the minute. It’s hard for me not to…feel a bit like a sacrificial lamb.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is set to be the chief executive of the new golf venture, with PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan – who is the chairman of the Premier League’s Newcastle United – presiding over the operation.
It was revealed on Tuesday evening that Monahan was stepping down from his current duties as he recovers from an unspecified “medical situation”, of which there are currently no further details.
The tour commissioner, who came under intense scrutiny after its merger with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, temporarily handed over his responsibilities to chief operating officer Ron Price and executive vice-president Tyler Dennis.
McIlroy had described himself as a ‘sacrificial lamb’ having been a defender on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan walks away from under-pressure entity with unspecified medical issue
Although no details were provided on the nature of the 53-year-old’s condition, the situation comes at a time when his position has been questioned by players during his tour.
A joint statement from Monahan and the Tour Board read, “Jay Monahan has advised the PGA TOUR Board that he is recovering from a medical condition.
“The council fully supports Jay and appreciates that everyone respects his privacy.
“During Jay’s absence, Ron Price, Chief Operating Officer, and Tyler Dennis, Executive Vice President and President, PGA TOUR, will lead the day-to-day operations of the PGA TOUR with the help of the great team that Jay has built. , ensuring seamless continuity. We will provide further updates as needed.
