Global Courant
Lawmakers weighed in on the announcement of a stellar merger between the PGA and the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf circuit, with some criticizing the deal as a turnaround focused on money.
“So weird. PGA officials were in my office a few months ago talking about how the Saudis should disqualify them from participating in a major American sport because of their human rights record,” said Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Tuesday on Twitter. .
“I think maybe their concerns weren’t really about human rights?” he added.
The PGA Tour released a statement earlier in the day confirming that the Tour, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the DP World have reached an agreement with the aim of “unifying the game of golf worldwide”.
The LIV Golf Invitational at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 26, 2022 in New Jersey. (Mike Stobe/LIV Golf/via Getty Images)
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The news was a marked reversal of last year’s comments by PGA commissioner Jay Monahan that a possible truce with the rival LIV was “off the table”.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus, stated, “In the end, it’s always about the money. Saudi Arabia just bought a one-world Gulf government.”
Senator Chris Murphy said on Twitter, “So weird. PGA officials were in my office a few months ago talking about how the human rights record would require the Saudis to disqualify them from participating in a major American sport.” (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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Conversely, South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace appeared to support the merger, calling it a “big deal” for the future of the sport. Mace is “very interested to see where this partnership takes the game,” she said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Rep. Nancy Mace said she is “very interested to see where this partnership takes the game”, (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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“This feud has significantly expanded the reach of professional golf to millions worldwide,” said Mace. “Professional golf is undoubtedly helping to shape the rest of the golf industry. With 5.8 million people playing only off-course golf (like Topgolf), the industry is shifting to more creative ways to play the game and attract new fans. “
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“While the magnitude of PIF’s influence is potentially concerning, LIV has demonstrated its ability to lead the way in creative ways to grow the game, which could be instrumental to the future success of the game. golf industry as a whole I’ll be watching see how this all plays out,” she added
Fox News Digital’s Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
Brianna Herlihy is a political writer for Fox News Digital.
