Yasir Al-Rumayyan reacts to new role as Newcastle United owners PIF complete shock move

The announcement has sent shockwaves through the golfing world as Newcastle United non-executive chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan lands major new role.
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Newcastle United non-executive chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan will chair the Board of Directors of the new PGA Tour-LIV Golf entity.

The announcement that the PGA Tour is to merge with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Golf has sent shockwaves through the golfing world after over a year of unprecedented disruption in the men’s professional game.

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The LIV Golf circuit was launched in 2022 and attracted a number of leading pros away such as Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson from the established PGA Tour.

This led to an anti-trust lawsuit being filed against the PGA Tour last August by 11 golfers. LIV claimed PGA illegally suspended players for taking part in the LIV tour without permission.

The lawsuit was due to be heard next year but has now been settled with PGA Tour and LIV Golf combining their commercial businesses and rights into a new company.

LIV golfers who were suspended indefinitely by the PGA and DP World Tour will be able to re-apply for membership from the end of the 2023 season.

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The new entity has not been named yet but the deal signals a new era of cooperation “to unify the game of golf, on a global basis”.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, said: “After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love.

“This transformational partnership recognizes the immeasurable strength of the PGA TOUR’s history, legacy and pro-competitive model and combines with it the DP World Tour and LIV - including the team golf concept - to create an organization that will benefit golf’s players, commercial and charitable partners and fans.”

Al-Rumayyan, the governor of PIF which owns 80 per-cent of Newcastle United, will chair the board of directors.

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Al-Rumayyan said: “We are committed to unifying, promoting and growing the game of golf around the world and offering the highest-quality product to the many millions of long-time fans globally, while cultivating new fans.

“There is no question that the LIV model has been positively transformative for golf. We believe there are opportunities for the game to evolve while also maintaining its storied history and tradition. This partnership represents the best opportunity to extend and increase the impact of golf for all.

“We look forward to collaborating with Jay and Keith to bring the best version of the game to communities around the world.”