Over the previous week in golf, we’ve had tales of a failed coup, again alley dealings with personal fairness companies, 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 by a distinct business’s baggage.
On the head of the buffoonery is Patrick Cantlay — except you consider 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 might 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 every other 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 personal fairness companies to assist achieve leverage within the negotiations, the Saudis caught wind due to course they did, and determined to lure a couple 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 yr when he began a bunch of drama over hats and allegedly cash. Lest we overlook, it’s what led to Rory McIlroy attempting to struggle Cantlay’s caddie in the parking lot in probably the most innocent manner doable.
It’s additionally what prompted this unbelievable 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 presents 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 prepared to stay loyal and be neglected 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 doable whereas concurrently bitching about find out how 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 often wins.
The PIF prevailed when Jay Monahan and the PGA Tour caved, if not in the mean time when Phil Mickelson determined he wanted a extra profitable income stream to gasoline his playing dependancy. Whereas I’m positive Western golf followers need the PGA Tour to be out entrance as a lot as doable, and by no means speak concerning 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 finished being cheap. With a December 31 deadline looming, we’ll see if the deal will get completed within the season finale, or if Monahan, on his personal jet to satisfy with LIV chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, keels over mid-flight.
Cue the theme music.
