Over the previous week in golf, we’ve had tales of a failed coup, again alley dealings with non-public fairness corporations, an all-consuming energy dealer, an uncomfortable media appearance, and merger negotiations on par with something that occurred between Waystar Royco and GoJo. All that’s left for HBO to do is see if Jesse Armstrong desires to sift via a unique trade’s baggage.
On the head of the buffoonery is Patrick Cantlay — until you imagine what Jordan Speith has to say — as a result of, apparently, the previous has tried to hijack the negotiations, and is failing at a rate that may ship Kendall Roy on a three-month bender. Cantlay is within the place to be so influential as a result of the six gamers on the PGA Tour’s coverage board have the ultimate say on a deal agreed with the Saudi Public Funding Fund or another traders. (Tiger Woods and Speith are on the board, and could be a part of the cabal, too, however Speith refutes all of this.)
Cantlay was reportedly courting non-public fairness corporations to assist achieve leverage within the negotiations, the Saudis caught wind due to course they did, and determined to lure a number of extra bargaining chips to their facet. Thus the Jon Rahm signing for half a billion, with rumors of Tony Finau and others in talks.
Golf followers’ final notable run-in with Cantlay was on the Ryder Cup this 12 months when he began a bunch of drama over hats and allegedly cash. Lest we neglect, it’s what led to Rory McIlroy making an attempt to battle Cantlay’s caddie in the parking lot in probably the most innocent manner attainable.
It’s additionally what prompted this incredible headline by the Mirror: “Ryder Cup villain ‘calling the shots’ in PGA Tour after Rory McIlroy resignation”. McIlroy’s resignation from the aforementioned board additionally had one thing to do with Cantlay as the 2 admittedly don’t see eye to eye.
One of many hangups within the talks is the pool of cash put aside for PGA Tour golfers who had gives from LIV however remained loyal. That quantity has been within the vary of $1 billion, however seeing as Rahm simply netted half of that, who is aware of what it’s now, or what number of guys are keen to stay loyal and be omitted within the chilly wilderness of immense wealth.
It’s clearly past irritating/hysterical to observe gamers attempt to cobble collectively last-ditch efforts to retain as a lot management of the game as attainable whereas concurrently bitching about the right way to break up up the money on the finish of the blood-soaked rainbow. If Succession taught us something it’s that the richest individual within the room normally wins.
The PIF prevailed when Jay Monahan and the PGA Tour caved, if not in the meanwhile when Phil Mickelson determined he wanted a extra profitable income stream to gas his playing habit. Whereas I’m certain Western golf followers need the PGA Tour to be out entrance as a lot as attainable, and by no means speak in regards to the “scary motherf*ckers” funding the game, that’s not what the Saudis paid for.
And after Cantlay’s obvious failed hail mary, the PIF is completed being cheap. With a December 31 deadline looming, we’ll see if the deal will get performed within the season finale, or if Monahan, on his non-public jet to fulfill with LIV chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, keels over mid-flight.
Cue the theme music.