Future of golf is in the hands of Donald Trump

With no progress, at least in the public sphere, in negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to end three years of schism at the professional level of this sport, the American circuit is putting itself in the hands of Donald Trump.

Donald Trump, golf

Its commissioner, Jay Monahan, and the two most important representatives of the players in these talks, Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, issued a joint statement on Thursday night in which they claim to have requested the mediation of the American president to conclude an agreement whose first details emerged a year and a half ago.

“We know that fans are anxiously awaiting the resolution of the negotiations with the Public Investment Fund (the financial arm of the Saudi government and owner of LIV) and we want to thank President Trump for his support and interest in this sport. We have asked him to get involved for the good of golf, the country and all those affected. “We are grateful that your leadership is bringing us closer to a final agreement that paves the way for the reunification of professional golf,” the statement said.

The request is not only explained by Trump’s position and the connections it implies with the Saudi royal family. It also has another aspect in the strong ties of the magnate and politician with LIV itself, which has one of its star tournaments at the Trump National in Doral (Florida).

In addition, his arrival to the presidency of the most powerful country in the world can help in a future verdict of the Department of Justice, which closely observes the progress in the agreement and will issue a ruling once it occurs on its possible implications regarding antitrust legislation and the interference of foreign powers in American politics and society.

The rules of golf are relatively complicated compared to other sports because they are played outdoors, close to nature and animals. Respecting the rules is a basic element in the game of golf, which, almost always based on self-control and the free conscience of the players, often sees distorted results, sometimes consciously, but often unconsciously or through carelessness, due to the non-observance by many players of the rules of the game. In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct, known as etiquette, which generally means playing the game with due respect for the golf course and other players. Etiquette is an essential component of this sport.