Mixed deal clichés? Tango or cut bait
Is impasse a deal breaker or speed bump; Stray Shots: Ratings, tankings and snubbings
Rory McIlroy and Jay Monahan have different outlook on chilled negotiations (Luke Walker/Getty Images)
There are many different expressions to articulate the status of the discussions between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. But shit-or-get-off-the-pot seems to be the consensus view of the people who have been in the room for the negotiations.
Adam Scott, a PGA Tour player director, has visited the White House twice to meet with President Trump. He expressed the sentiment that it’s near the time to fish or cut bait, but he was unsure when or where that would occur.
On Wednesday, Rory McIlroy, when asked about the status of the negotiations, made an appropriate dance reference.
“I think it takes two to tango,” McIlroy said. “So, if one party is willing and ready and the other isn’t, it sort of makes it tough.”
McIlroy confirmed that his comment meant the discussions between the sides have gone backwards, and the tango partner not seemingly in step is LIV and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
These counter relatively upbeat statements from the PHA Tour after separate meetings with Trump.
The first from Feb. 4 after commissioner Jay Monahan and Scott met with President Trump)
“We know golf fans are eagerly anticipating a resolution to negotiations with the Public Investment Fund and want to thank President Trump for his interest and long-time support of the game of golf.
“We asked the president to get involved for the good of the game, the good of the country, and all the countries involved.
We are grateful that his leadership has brought us closer to a final deal, paving the way for reunification of men’s professional golf.”
The second came on Feb. 20 after Monahan, Tiger Woods, Scott and Al-Rumayyan met with Trump at the White House.
“We have just concluded a constructive working session at the White House with President Trump and H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we have initiated a discussion about the reunification of golf. We are committed to moving as quickly as possible and will share additional details as appropriate.
“We share a passion for the game and the importance of reunification. Most importantly, we all want the best players in the world playing together more often and are committed to doing all we can to deliver that outcome for our fans.”
Neither statement seems to suggest anything but positive momentum, although the second reverts to the phrase “initiated a discussion” nearly two years into the supposed discussion process.
McIlroy, who has openly pushed for a deal, has backed off the idea that one is necessarily needed.
“I think the narrative around golf, I wouldn’t say needs a deal, I think the narrative around golf would welcome a deal in terms of just having all the best players together again,” McIlroy said. “But I don’t think the PGA Tour needs a deal. I think the momentum is pretty strong. TV’s (ratings) been good, TGL’s been hopefully pretty additive to the overall situation.
“And I would say, again, I answered this question at Torrey Pines (three) weeks ago, (when) the landscape might have looked a little different then than it does now ... and I think a deal would still be the ideal scenario for golf as a whole. But from a pure PGA Tour perspective, I don’t think it necessarily needs it.”
Monahan picked up the baton again this week and said he believes the discussions can lead to unification in a media interview on Wednesday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
“We’re focused on the conversation with the Public Investment Fund, and we think that we can accomplish reunification through those conversations, and I’m not going to get into any hypotheticals, but we’ve got a commitment to the process that we’re undertaking with Yasir and the team at PIF, and that’s where we’re going to keep our energy,” he said.
Yet, the backstory is nothing close to positive. Instead, it’s like two unrequited lovers trying to find a road to happiness.
Oddly enough, the only thing the two sides can agree upon is money.
That for some reason, is not in dispute.
Stray Shots: Cognizant dissonance
By Peter Kaufman
1. Cognizant of existence. NBC drew 2.15 million viewers for the final round of the Cognizant Classic at The Palm Beaches on Sunday. Let’s ignore the 2024 final round at PGA National, when a rain-delayed finish and taped coverage on Monday drew only 1.45 million viewers. As per Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter, the more relevant Nielsen ratings comparisons were 2023 (2.38 million with Chris Kirk winning) and 2022 (2.57 million with Sepp Straka on top).
It’s another example of negative viewing trends for the PGA Tour.