Golf Saudi’s Impact on LET and LPGA Tour Merger

In a surprising turn of events, Golf Saudi has thrown a wrench into the proposed merger between the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the LPGA Tour, showcasing its substantial influence in the world of golf. The golf organization halted the merger vote by demanding additional information on the negotiations, linking their commitment to a significant $10 million investment earmarked for the 2024 season.

According to a memo obtained by Golfweek, Golf Saudi, a significant partner of the LET, aimed to thoroughly understand the risks, implications, and opportunities associated with the Aramco Saudi Ladies International and Aramco Team Series before finalizing their commitment for the 2024 events.

Initially expected to be a formality, the LET and LPGA Tour merger vote was abruptly postponed, leading to speculation regarding Golf Saudi’s involvement. An anonymous LET player, quoted by The Telegraph, suggested that Golf Saudi had not made any concrete offers but merely threatened to withdraw all support and funding if the merger proceeded. The move left players puzzled, questioning the motives behind Golf Saudi’s opposition to the LET/LPGA merger.

Golf Saudi’s influence stems from its role as an institution under the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, managing the PIF’s global golf investments. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the PIF Governor and LIV Golf chairman, also holds the position of Golf Saudi’s chairman. The institution’s substantial investment of $10 million in the LET for 2024 primarily funds two major events: the Aramco Saudi Ladies International Presented by PIF and the Aramco Team Series.

The Aramco Saudi Ladies International, scheduled for Feb. 15-18, boasts a substantial purse of $5 million, making it one of the most lucrative events on the LET calendar. Additionally, the Aramco Team Series comprises five events in the current season, each offering a $1 million purse. Notably, only two tournaments on the LET schedule, the Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open (both majors), surpass the purse of the Aramco Saudi Ladies International. Similarly, the Aramco Team Series events, while not the highest, feature purses that exceed many others on the LET schedule.

As Golf Saudi flexes its financial muscle, questions arise about the underlying motives behind its opposition to the LET/LPGA merger. Speculation points to potential connections with the merger between male Tours and the PIF’s desire to assert control. In the eyes of some players, this move underscores the power dynamics at play, with the golfing elite making decisions that may leave the smaller players feeling expendable in the grand chessboard of billionaire power games.