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**Fowler Withdraws from WM Phoenix Open Due to Illness**
Ricky Fowler has sadly withdrawn from the WM Phoenix Open, missing out on one of the PGA Tour’s most celebrated events. While details about his illness remain sparse, fans are rallying behind him, wishing for a speedy recovery
Former President Donald Trump recently took the helm of a pivotal meeting that brought together PGA Tour officials and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The focus? A groundbreaking $2 billion media rights deal designed to breathe new life into golf’s global appeal
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LIV Golfers Granted Path to U.S. Open Exemption
Despite dwindling major exemptions, LIV Golf players have secured a path to the 2023 U.S. Open. The United States Golf Association (USGA) has granted a special exemption to players who finished in the top 10 of the Open Championship and missed the cut, including LIV Golfers Cameron Smith and Matthew Wolff. This exemption allows these players to participate in the 123rd U.S. Open at The Los Angeles Country Club from June 15-18. The USGA’s decision follows the R&A’s announcement that LIV Golf players would be eligible to compete in the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
Charley Hull claimed her first title in two years at the Ladies European Tour (LET) event in Saudi Arabia. The victory ended a winless streak that had stretched back to 2020.
Hull’s triumph was a testament to her skill and resilience. The English golfer had been struggling for form in recent months, but she showed her class with a dominant performance in Saudi Arabia.
She fired a final-round 68 to finish on 13-under-par, two shots clear of her nearest rival. The victory was Hull’s first since the 2020 Andalucia Masters.
It was a welcome return to form for Hull, who is one of the most talented golfers in the world. She is now back in the winner’s circle and will be looking to add to her tally in the coming months.
The PGA Tour’s strategic alliance with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) continues to raise eyebrows, with several pairings at this week’s DP World Tour event in Abu Dhabi featuring players from both tours.
Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton is partnered with American Kurt Kitayama, a PGA Tour member who recently played in the Saudi International. Sergio Garcia, another LIV Golf recruit, is paired with European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.
The presence of PGA Tour players alongside LIV Golf defectors has sparked criticism, with some questioning the integrity of the DP World Tour. However, DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley defended the pairings, stating that they were made based on world rankings and current form, not affiliations.
Tiger Woods Meets with Saudi PIF Officials
Tiger Woods reportedly flew to New York to meet with officials from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The meeting, which lasted for several hours, took place at a private residence in Manhattan.
Sources say that the meeting was part of ongoing discussions between Woods and PIF about a potential investment in his golf course design business. PIF is a sovereign wealth fund that has been investing heavily in sports and entertainment in recent years.
It is unclear if a deal was reached during the meeting. However, sources say that both sides were positive about the possibility of working together.
LIV Golf, the upstart golf league backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is set to open its fourth season next week at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Saudi Arabia. The league, which has drawn criticism for its ties to the Saudi government and its breakaway from the traditional golf ecosystem, will host 14 events in 2023, with a $405 million prize pool. Reigning individual champion Dustin Johnson leads a field of 48 players, including Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau. The event will be streamed live on LIV Golf’s website and YouTube channel.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has provided an update on the ongoing discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), stating that the talks have been “enhanced” but there is still no specific timeline for a potential partnership.
Monahan highlighted that the Tour has been “very clear in our values” and that any partnership would need to be “consistent with those values.” He also reiterated the Tour’s commitment to listening to its members and stakeholders in making any decisions.