Professional golf’s controversial dealings with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are once again under the microscope of the U.S. Senate — but this time, the PGA Tour may be off the hook.
After July’s hearing, which saw PGA Tour chief operating officer Ron Price and policy board member Jimmy Dunne testify, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has scheduled another session for Sept. 13.
However, a source told Front Office Sports that no one from the PGA Tour has been requested to appear again thus far. This hearing, titled “The PGA Tour LIV Deal: Examining The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s Investments In The United States,” has no confirmed attendees listed on its website.
At last month’s Tour Championship, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said he was willing to testify if requested to do so at a future hearing. PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan has reportedly declined to testify yet again.
In July, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) said the subcommittee still needed “to learn more” and that he would welcome Monahan and LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman to testify in the future. It is unclear if Norman or any other LIV execs have been requested at next week’s hearing.
July’s session revealed many previously unreported details, including Al-Rumayyan’s attempt to become a member at Augusta National Golf Club and proposals for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to potentially own LIV teams.
It wouldn’t be surprising for the second hearing to unearth further details surrounding the PGA Tour-PIF agreement — not to mention other PIF investments in sports like Formula 1.
