WASHINGTON — The PGA Tour vigorously defended its agreement with Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, answering questions from lawmakers on human rights and the specifics of the deal.
“The PGA Tour faced an unprecedented attack,” PGA Tour COO Ron Price told the hearing on the rivalry with LIV Golf. “It was clear to us that the dispute was undermining the growth of our sport, threatening the survival of the PGA tour and unsustainable.”
LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), launched last year as a competitor to the PGA Tour — the dominant golf competition in the United States. LIV immediately attracted criticism, including from the PGA, largely due to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Survivors and families of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks also protested the league, as well as former President Donald Trump for hosting LIV Golf events at his golf courses.
LIV also signed many top golfers to lucrative offers, such as Phil Mickelson, who received $200 million to play, and Brooks Koepka, who won the PGA Championship in May. The league has also built a sizable fan base around the world.
