Greg Norman to join Jay Monahan at United States Senate hearing
A US Senator has invited three key figures from the PGA Tour’s merger with the Public Investment Fund to appear at a hearing next month.
Richard Blumenthal posted the official invitation on Twitter he sent to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman.
“Our goal is to uncover the facts about what went into the PGA Tour’s deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund and what the Saudi takeover means for the future of this cherished American institution and our national interest,” Blumenthal said in a statement.
“Americans deserve to know what the structure and governance of this new entity will be. Major actors in the deal are best positioned to provide this information and they owe Congress – and the American people – answers in a public setting.”
It has been over two weeks since Monahan and Al-Rumayyan appeared together in a television interview to announce the new deal that has brought all legal proceedings between each party to a halt.
Today I am officially inviting the PGA Tour Commissioner, LIV Golf CEO, & Saudi Public Investment Fund Governor to testify in front of my Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. We need to get to the bottom of the planned agreement between the PGA & Saudi-funded LIV Golf. pic.twitter.com/FlYD4vpmCh
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) June 21, 2023
Also: Questions to be answered by the LIV Golf PGA Tour merger
Mens professional golf has certainly entered a new realm where the leaders of the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and LIV Golf intend to work together to “unify” the sport.
In August 2022, 11 players filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour which LIV Golf then attached itself to. All 11 players had removed their names prior to the announcement of the merger.
The three invitees have been asked to appear at a Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations meeting on July 11 when the merger is set to be examined.
“We look forward to appearing before the Senate subcommittee to answer their questions about the framework agreement we believe keeps the PGA Tour as the leader of professional golf’s future and benefits our players, our fans and our sport,” the tour said in a statement.
“Already, the first phase of this framework has resulted in the end of costly litigation with LIV Golf.
“As we enter the next phase, we look forward to continuing the productive conversations we had last night with our players, listening to their feedback and working toward negotiating a final agreement that is in their best interest and ensures that the tour leads any new venture.”
Monahan, who has stepped aside from his role as the tour’s CEO in a medical situation, will be the CEO of the new entity, while Al-Rumayyan will become the chairman.
Norman, and DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley, weren’t named as part of the PGA Tour’s Policy Board, nor on the new executive committee as part of the merger.
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
