Who could have possibly foreseen the partnership between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund?
Players, media and fans were left blindsided by the announcement of a landmark agreement to unify the game of golf. However, one man predicted the merger 10 months earlier. And it was no other than former US President Donald Trump.
Speaking during the pro-am at LIV Golf Bedminster in July 2022, the Commander-In-Chief was asked about the September 11 terror attacks in New York. He then switched the topic to the LIV players participating at his New Jersey golf course.
“Nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately. And they should have. As to the maniacs that did that horrible thing to our city, to our country, to the world. So nobody’s really been there,” Trump said.
“But I can tell you that there are a lot of really great people that are out here today. And we are going to have a lot of fun. And we are going to celebrate. And money’s going to charity. A lot of money’s going to charity.
“And you have really the best players in the world. Many of the best players in the world. And soon you’ll probably have all of them. Because remember this: if there’s a merger, the people that didn’t come, they will never get anything. Except a thank you from people that took advantage of them.”
Wow. Then in another prophetic call, Trump anticipated the Saudis would give the PGA Tour back to the players instead of the executive suits who have long called the shots.
“I have known these people for a long time – in Saudi Arabia. And they’ve been friends of mine for a long time. And they’ve invested in many American companies. They own big percentages of many, many American companies. Frankly, what they’re doing for golf is so great. What they’re doing for the players is so great. The salaries are going to go way up.
“The PGA was not loved by a lot of the players, as you know, for a long time. And now they have an alternative. And nobody would have ever known there was going to be a gold rush like this.”
Trump supporters like to say he plays 5D chess and is several steps ahead of the game. Either that or he’s a time traveller.
