The merger of the PGA and LIV proves that Saudi Arabia cannot buy anything

In a bigger upset than Ben Curtis won the 2003 British Open, the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia-backed rival LIV Golf combined to form an as yet unnamed entity, according to CNBC. The agreement between the parties is expected to be announced on Tuesday and will end litigation between the parties. Lawsuits have been filed against the PGA and LIV antitrust claims and the proposed merger will terminate all such proceedings.

LIV was founded in 2021 and is backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, controlled by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. bin Salman, aka MBS, is probably best recognized by Americans pale with Jared Kushner’s famously failed son and declare the CIA is responsible the The murder and dismemberment of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

A number of major PGA stars have switched to LIV for huge contracts, although specific figures have never been publicly announced. Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson reportedly left the PGA for $100 million each Phil Mickelson gets $200 million. Tiger Woods reportedly turned down a $900 million deal to stay loyal to the PGA. This blood feud appears to be the heist of the century as the leagues join forces. As its own entity, LIV has failed to win golf’s premier tournament, The Masters, including suffocating work from Koepka this year. Few details are known about the agreement so far, as the merger came as a surprise to many.