Why a Donald Trump victory would be good for golf’s merger deal
Should the current 45th president win the presidency again as the 47th, it is much more probable that the Department of Justice will green-light the PGA Tour-LIV peace agreement.
No matter who the Republican nominee is, most elite male professional golfers would rather switch to a Pinnacle Gold ball than vote for a Democrat in a US election. This time, there is even greater cause for these wealthy individuals to support President Trump’s return to the White House.
In brief, if the divisive 78-year-old is re-elected, the Department of Justice would be more inclined to approve a deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, potentially bringing peace to the long-divided game.
Many may not think the end of golf’s civil war is most important in this battle, but professional men’s golf exists separately and players will focus on Rory McIlroy’s recent comments, not those of political figures or celebrities.
The world No 3 sounded confident when discussing the reason for the delay in the negotiations between the Tour and the LIV Golf League backers. McIlroy responded, saying it was the Department of Justice. “And perhaps varying interests from the perspective of the players.”
McIlroy responded that there is a major conflict happening at the Trump Department of Justice today. “And potentially varied interests from the players’ perspective.”
There is a significant competition happening today at Trump International involving Clear CEO Garry Singer, McIlroyRory, PaulONeillYES, and Donald Trump. Let’s see who comes out on top in putting… pic.twitter.com/AZJqEVtlBT
Tweeted by Clear Golf on February 19, 2017.
Currently, the DOJ and Patrick Cantlay are both skilled at playing in groups of four. The previous committed to examining any partnership between Sawgrass and PIF based on competition laws. In the meantime, the latter is seen as the head of the players, some of whom are on the Tour’s policy board, including Cantlay, and will ultimately approve any agreement presented to the DOJ, and they are in favor of the chaos continuing.
For what reason? Earnings have sharply increased since LIV began spending money recklessly, and they are unwilling to welcome back players who accepted the Saudi payment without losing both money and respect.
They fail to realize that the current situation is not sustainable and that viewers are only interested in major players. Instead, they intensely desire for this nonsensical one-time money grab to continue forever.
If Tiger Woods does end up supporting McIlroy, the Tour officials and Saudis, the resistance will have to back down and the DOJ will be the final obstacle.
This is where Trump returning to power would play a role, as The New York Times editorial succinctly stated.
The issue would not be Kamala Harris becoming the first non-golfing president in almost 50 years, following Jimmy Carter. Instead, the focus would be on how her administration would change the DOJ’s approach to mergers.