It’s no secret that Donald Trump wants to leave a lasting legacy, and being remembered as the person who unified golf is certainly one of his goals. His passion for the sport is evident, and the recent agreement between the PGA Tour and the Sovereign Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) has become a matter of state for him. In fact, he’s taken it upon himself to mediate the discussion, which could actually be a positive move to speed up the process.
A delegation from the PGA Tour, comprising Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and Commissioner Jay Monahan, met with President Trump at the White House. But what made this meeting truly significant was the presence of Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the PIF and a key figure in the Saudi kingdom, known for revolutionizing world markets and being a right-hand man to monarch Mohammed Bin Salman. It’s worth noting that Al-Rumayyan is also an avid golf enthusiast.
The Meeting and Its Aftermath
After the session, the PGA Tour issued a joint statement from Monahan, Woods, and Scott, stating, “We have just completed a constructive work session in the White House with President Trump and his excellence Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we have initiated a debate on golf reunification. We are committed to progress as quickly as possible and share more details when necessary.” The statement highlighted their shared passion for the game and the importance of reunification, emphasizing that they all want the best players in the world to play together more frequently.
A Surprise Appearance
Taking advantage of Woods’ presence at the White House, he appeared alongside Trump at a reception for Black History Month. The president even invited Tiger to speak, despite his initial shyness, which seemed to catch the 15-time major winner off guard. Those in attendance, including Trump, encouraged the golfers to address the crowd. In a lighthearted moment, the president joked, “I was playing with him last week. I think he has a couple of majors… Maybe something else.” When asked about the golf meeting, Trump simply commented, “We had some interesting conversations.”