GBR Weekly | U.S. Ladies Win Solheim Cup, More Negotiations Between PGA Tour and PIF on 9/11?
Keeping with an LIV theme, we also cover the search for a sponsor in the upcoming PGA Tour vs. LIV match and LIV Golf's attempts to smooth the way for Rahm and Hatton on the DP World Tour.
Good morning, GBR community,
We’re back with the latest key updates from the world of golf, neatly packaged for you to enjoy during your next coffee break.
Our focus this week is split between the weekend action on the golf course and the key events taking place away from the world’s fairways.
This week’s edition of Golf Bizz Review covers:
Victory for the U.S. Solheim Cup team - Stacey Lewis’ team convincingly reclaim the Solheim Cup from the Europeans.
More talks held between the PGA Tour and PIF - controversy surrounds the latest meeting with the Saudi PIF held in New York over 9/11.
Sponsors needed for PGA Tour vs LIV Golf match - as Scheffler and McIlroy are set to face off against DeChambeau and Koepka, a sponsor is needed for the Las Vegas showdown in December.
DP World Tour snubs LIV Golf - LIV Golf makes overtures on behalf of Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton, including paying their outstanding fines.
25th anniversary for NBC Sports Next and Troon - further celebrations as a new multi-year deal is announced to prolong the highly successful partnership.
PGA Tour Fall series starts - Patton Kizzire claims his first victory since 2018 and secures his playing rights on the PGA Tour.
Hojgaard pips McIlroy to victory - another agonizing moment for Rory McIlroy in front of his home fans at the Amgen Irish Open.
Rahm wins the big prize - Jon Rahm claimed victory at LIV Golf Chicago and takes the individual honors for LIV in 2024.
Private jets were tracked in the New York area ahead of the latest PGA Tour and PIF talks. Controversy surrounds the timing of the talks held during the 9/11 anniversary.
U.S. Ladies Reclaim Solheim Cup
After a seven-year wait, the U.S. Team was again in possession of the Solheim Cup.
The European Ladies were on the back foot from the first foursomes session on Friday morning, and by the end of the day, Suzann Pettersen’s team would be 6-2 down.
Saturday didn’t fare much better for Europe. Stacey Lewis’ charges retained control, taking a commanding 10-6 lead into the Sunday singles.
The European team looked to draw inspiration from the “Miracle at Medinah” when Europe’s men fought back from the same scoreline to snatch the Ryder Cup from the U.S. in 2012.
Both captains went strong with their singles order from the start. Pettersen had to get momentum early, and Lewis looked to kill off any chance of a fightback and secure victory as early as possible.
European hopes were raised in the first match after Charley Hull thumped world number one Nelly Korda, 6&4. However, Megan Kang delivered an equally emphatic win for the U.S., defeating Emily Pedersen 6&5. The U.S. was edging ever closer.
Points were traded as Georgia Hall won for Europe, with Allisen Corpuz immediately replying with a point for the U.S.
The Americans stemmed the European tide, edging ever closer to the winning mark. It came down to Lilia Vu’s match against Albane Valenzuela for the decisive moment. One down playing the last, Vu hit her approach shot to two feet for the win and a half point, which clinched the Solheim Cup for the Americans.
The final score after the completion of the singles was 15.5 points -12.5 points in favor of the Americans.
Europe had put up a strong fight in the Sunday singles, but the damage was done by their slow start on Friday and their inability to make up ground during Saturday’s sessions to make things tighter going into the Sunday singles.
For Stacey Lewis, the mixture of relief and joy was palpable and was shared throughout the team.
The Solheim Cup served up another closely fought edition where the tightest margins exist between winning and losing in team golf.
GBR will cover the events in more detail later this week.
Could we see a similar pattern in the Solheim Cup as in the Ryder Cup, where the home team backed by partisan home fans prevails for the foreseeable future?
Europe will be hoping that’s the case as the Solheim Cup goes to Bernardus Golf in Holland for the 2026 staging.
“From the moment this team was together, they were together. I'm just so proud of them. I'm proud that they get this moment where they get to celebrate tonight and win this Cup.”
“I mean, this is so cool. So stressful to watch. It’s awful watching. But just so proud of the players. It’s amazing how these things come down to half a point here and there. Fortunately, this time we were on the right side of it.” - Stacey Lewis, Winning Solheim Cup Captain, 2024
“I mean, we gave them a run for their money. I don’t think anyone expected us to be here at 2:30 and to still have a chance. It’s kind of hard to believe that we actually had a chance with kind of that poor of a start, giving them such a head start. But I had fun today. It’s always exciting on a Sunday.
“There were possibilities out there, and several times we thought we could get it done. It came down to a couple of matches. Happy for Stacy, obviously, on home turf, but we’ll come back very hungry.” - Suzann Pettersen, European Solheim Cup Team Captain.
“Luckily, I have the best team around me and was able to find my game today. I'm pretty grateful to even be playing golf.” - Lillia Vu, U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
PGA Tour Meets PIF In New York During 9/11
On the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, further talks between PGA Tour officials and representatives of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) were being staged in New York over several days.
Multiple news sources, including ESPN and Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig, covered the news in the build-up to the talks.
Rumours circulated that Tiger Woods and Adam Scott would attend the talks; however, there has been no definitive confirmation of their attendance. Speculation surrounding Woods’ attendance rose after it was revealed that his jet, along with private jets registered to the PGA Tour and the Saudi oil giant ARAMCO, was tracked in the New York area on Tuesday via a sky scanner app.
As we write, no information has been forthcoming on the outcome of these talks. One might suspect that PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monohan would only tell the world that negotiations were still ongoing and progress was being made, which has become his stock answer when pressed on the subject.
Monohan revealed last month that talks were intensifying with PIF, which was seen as a good thing as the two bodies continued to thrash out an agreement that had long passed its original 31st December 2023 deadline.
Campaigners for justice for the 9/11 atrocities were left enraged that talks could be taking place in New York around such a painful time as thoughts turned to those who perished 23 years ago. 15 of the 19 attackers were Saudi nationals, and there are still ongoing accusations that the Saudi government was involved in the attacks in some capacity.
PGA Tour Enterprises chairman Joe Gorder and Fenway Sports Group owner John W. Henry are likely to have been present as they form part of a transactional subcommittee tasked with discussing a potential deal. The subcommittee also includes Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and Rory McIlroy. McIlroy didn’t attend in person as he was in Northern Ireland and was ready to play in the Amgen Irish Open.
It’s feasible that McIlroy could have dialled in at some point if his presence was necessary, but pressed on the matter in a press conference on the eve of the Amgen Irish Open, McIlroy questioned the timing of the meeting but did not elaborate any further.
Doubt was cast on Woods’ attendance, as he confirmed later in the week that he had undergone further surgery on his back in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 13th September.
The proposed move to invest $1 billion from PIF would be fed into PGA Tour Enterprises, which was set up earlier this year.
As we enter a new week, will more information come to light?
What is the outcome of the talks?
Are we any closer to a resolution?
Will there be a public statement from the PGA Tour or PIF regarding the New York summit?
Were Woods and Scott present?
“It is disgusting, unacceptable, and incredibly painful that the Tour and Woods would do this especially now.” - Brett Eagleson, President of 9/11 Justice.
“It's certainly peculiar timing. I don't know much about the talks that are going on. I know that there is but that's not something that I'm a part of.” - Rory McIlroy.
“Productive conversations enhance the likelihood of positive outcomes.” - Jay Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner.
Title Sponsor Needed For PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf Match
Writing in Sports Business Journal, John Carpenter provides an update on the progress being made towards the showdown announced earlier this month between PGA Tour stalwarts Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler and LIV Golf's Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau in a high-profile event this December.
Organizers are seeking a title sponsor, with sources suggesting a target range of $8-10 million required for the match.
While many will think that this showdown is part of The Match series, it won’t, even though most of the production team from The Match, including Bryan Zuriff's B.Z. Entertainment and EverWonder Studio are involved.
The intrigue of this event lies not only in the fierce rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf but also in how McIlroy's involvement came to be. Rather than seeking permission from the PGA Tour, McIlroy informed the organization that he and Scheffler would participate, which has left the tour in a challenging position regarding player media rights.
Given McIlroy and Scheffler's status as two of the tour's most popular players, the PGA Tour will face difficult decisions about how to approach media rights and promotion.
Phil Mickelson stated that participating in The Match cost him $1 million when he was still part of the PGA Tour. Though the tour may not be obligated to support the event, its previous involvement in promoting similar matches makes it hard to imagine them sitting this one out entirely.
Las Vegas has become the preferred destination for this mid-December match, with Shadow Creek and The Wynn, both renowned for hosting televised golf events, being considered as potential venues. The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, initially floated as a venue, appears to be out of the running.
“I wouldn’t say it’s meant to send a message. It’s more we wanted to do something that, I guess, all golf fans could get excited about.” - Rory McIlroy.
“We want to bring this game back to a place where I would say everyone has the opportunity to see the greatest play a lot more than four times a year. I think it's a great opportunity to showcase how we evolve that over the course of time. The details are not very fully flushed out yet.” - Bryson DeChambeau.
LIV’s Attempts To Pay Fines Snubbed By D.P. World Tour
It’s been an interesting week for Jon Rahm. He’s claimed the individual title in LIV Golf in Chicago on Sunday, which will further bolster his bank account. The bad news is that Rahm is still battling with the D.P. World Tour over his unpaid fines.
Hopes were raised that players like Rahm and Tyrell Hatton could be presented with an opportunity to qualify for the 2025 Ryder Cup by playing in a selected number of events on the D.P. World Tour. The proviso was that all outstanding fines needed to be paid in advance.
Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig has uncovered that LIV Golf made overtures to the D.P. World Tour to help pave the way by offering the following concessions:
Exemptions for D.P. World Tour players in Asian Tour events
Cash payout of £6 million to boost prize purses
Schedule adjustments.
However, the D.P. World Tour rejected the proposal despite ongoing discussions between the two sides. According to the D.P. World Tour, they are focused on working with all stakeholders to arrive at a broader solution for the sport’s benefit.
Rahm, currently appealing his fines to avoid missing key events like the Spanish Open, is challenging the Tour's conflicting events policy. This sentiment is echoed by other LIV players, including Tyrrell Hatton, who also face penalties under this policy.
The crux of Rahm’s appeal lies in questioning why these sanctions were enforced at all. His representatives argue that these restrictions are unnecessary and harm the D.P. World Tour’s interests. After all, sponsors and fans want to see marquee names like Rahm on the course, and the restrictions seemingly prevent that.
LIV Golf has already paid approximately £12 million ($15.75 million) in fines for its players, with another £10 million pending, and has supported Rahm and Hatton’s battle against these penalties.
According to sources, LIV Golf is keen on fostering player freedom while also allowing them to compete in the D.P. World Tour’s biggest events.
The D.P. World Tour doesn’t have to make any concessions, given that it won an arbitration case in 2023 in a U.K. court that upheld the tour’s rights to enforce sanctions and financial penalties on players who had not requested permission to play in other events.
The D.P. World Tour will also want to stay aligned with the PGA Tour after a strategic alliance was formed in 2021. This alliance saw the Scottish Open become a co-sanctioned event with the PGA Tour and allowed top D.P. World Tour players to earn PGA Tour cards.
The strategic alliance also introduced:
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monohan has a seat on the D.P. World Tour’s board
PGA Tour’s investment in European Tour Productions
Underwriting tournament purses with the PGA Tour, making up any shortfalls in the planned 3% year-on-year increases.
Further complicating matters is the ongoing negotiation between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which finances LIV Golf. Although D.P. World Tour has yet to have a seat at that negotiation table, it watches keenly, waiting for a favorable outcome that could, in theory, shape the future of the sport.
Rahm’s fines are estimated to run close to the region of $1 million. Many people will believe that if he serious about having a chance of finding a route to the European Ryder Cup team in 2025 and given the fact he just won $22 million at the weekend, paying his fines won’t dent his bank balance too heavily.
“We met with them (LIV Golf) and listened to their proposal but did not accept it, as our view remains that the focus should continue to be on all stakeholders working together to reach an overall solution that benefits our sport." - D.P. World Tour spokesperson.
NBC Sports Next and Troon Celebrate 25th Anniversary
First established in 1999, the partnership has evolved into a multi-faceted collaboration that has leveraged cutting-edge technology, expanded golf access, and generated significant revenue for Troon-managed facilities worldwide.
The new multi-year agreement will continue to see NBC Sports Next as a preferred partner of Troon’s global facilities. Troon will also be able to access NBC Sports Next technology and services, including:
Booking engines and electronic tee sheets
Streamlined payment processing via GolfNow Payments
Best-in-class golf reservation concierge service that drives data collection and cross-selling benefits between Troon-affiliated facilities.
The collaboration has been marked by notable achievements, such as:
Over $200 million in golf fee revenue has been generated since 2021
$400 million processed annually through GolfNow Payments for Troon properties
More than $2.9 million in golf travel packages sold since 2019
The renewed partnership will forge further opportunities as Troon looks to overhaul its digital options. Troon’s highly successful Troon Card and Troon Rewards program will be enhanced for its members by trialling options such as the Rory McIlroy-backed GolfPass, which contains 4,500 videos of instruction and entertainment, expert insight on the latest equipment releases, and member-only discount offers.
"Our relationship with Troon runs deep, and we’re extremely proud to celebrate this milestone with a fellow golf industry leader." - Will McIntosh, President of NBC Sports Next.
Kizzire Wins Procore Championship
Patton Kizzire claimed his first PGA Tour title since 2018 at the PGA Tour’s Fall series opener, the Procore Championship, played over the Silverado Resort, North Course, Napa Valley, California.
Kizzire had a four-shot lead going into the final round and started off steady with pars over the first four holes before chipping in for an eagle at the par 5 5th hole. Errant tee shots cost him at 9 and 11, where he recorded bogeys on each hole before a string of 3 birdies at 12,13 and 15 saw him back in command.
There was one final wobble at 16, with a short par putt missed. However, Kizzire parred his way in to win by five shots from David Lipsky. Lipsky was the only challenger to Kizzire and had cut Kizzire’s lead to 2 on a couple of occasions over the final round. Still, he, too, suffered from unforced errors, never getting any closer than 2 shots and ultimately missing out by 5 shots.
Kizzire’s win seals his tour card for the next two years and gets him into the 2025 Masters, PGA Championship, and The Sentry at Kapalua.
“I’m going to enjoy this win. It’s just so sweet to get through the ups and downs. That’s life. You just got to stay positive. That’s what led me to here, to right now.” - Patton Kizzire, Procore Championship Winner.
McIlroy Falls Short As Hojgaard Storms To Victory
Rory McIlroy must have a sickening feeling of deja vu. Once more in command of a tournament coming into the final stretch, McIlroy made errors and was pipped by brilliant play by another player.
Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard was the benefactor, who stormed to a final round 65, including birdies at the final three holes to capture the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down.
The expectant home crowd were left stunned after McIlroy had built a two-shot cushion with four holes left to play. A costly bogey at 15 left McIlroy in a tie with Hojgaard, who had just birdied 16. 17 was the real killer for McIlroy. Hojgaard had just spectacularly holed his bunker shot for an unlikely birdie. McIlroy had a good birdie chance but charged his effort well past the hole and missed the return par putt.
Hojgaard made a birdie at the last to set the clubhouse target at 9-under par, leaving McIlroy needing an eagle to force a playoff. McIlroy gave himself a chance after his approach finished 15 feet away from the hole at the par-5 last. However, his effort slid past the hole and left McIlroy an agonizing one shot shy of Hojgaard.
“Obviously coming in and finishing on nine was gold, and I’m so happy. The game’s been trending for a while now and to get this one is massive.” - Rasmus Hojgaard, Amgen Irish Open Champion.
“Hopefully, the tide is going to turn pretty soon, and I can turn all these close calls into victories.
“I must say, that roar when I hit that second shot on 18 was pretty cool. The support I got out there this week was absolutely amazing. I certainly don’t take it for granted.” - Rory McIlroy, runner-up, Amgen Irish Open.
Rahm Captures LIV Golf Individual Title
Jon Rahm pipped Joaquin Niemann to the season-long individual honors by claiming victory in LIV Chicago. Rahm completed his second victory in three events after being challenged by Niemann throughout the final day. Rahm has been the model of consistency, finishing no worse than T-10 throughout the season and marking a highly successful debut season in LIV Golf.
Rahm also locked in an additional $18 million for winning the individual title, adding to the $4 million for winning LIV Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club.
As LIV finishes up next week with its team championship shootout in Maridoe, Dallas, Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers take top seeding, with Rahm’s Legion XIII and Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC taking the third seed.
“Just being able to culminate all the good golf all season, and especially doing it by winning individually today I think is what makes it so much more special. Knowing that I had to win and getting it done is something to really be proud of and something to reflect on.”- Jon Rahm, LIV Chicago Champion and LIV Golf Individual Champion, 2024.