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FOR THOSE WHO aren’t fans of golf, the sport often doesn’t appear to be the most exciting. “Golf is a good walk spoiled” and all that.
Those holdouts might not be convinced by what’s happening on the course, but what’s happening off of it right now has shaken the sport to its core.
Two dominant, rival organisations have announced a merger that few saw coming.
LIV Golf is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. It disrupted the world of golf in recent years with new, fresh tournaments and the poaching of top players from the established PGA Tour.
But now, suddenly, out of the blue, they have made amends and are joining forces. The story of why is one that involves a lot of money, antitrust concerns, and a new – but perhaps murky – future for the world of golf, one in which Saudi Arabian soft power comes to the fore.
Whether you’re already bet into this story, or are wondering what all the fuss is about, Gavin Cooney, sports writer with The42, joins us on this week’s episode to explain, from the rows between the two organisations in recent years, to Rory McIlroy’s outspoken views on it all.
https://soundcloud.com/the-explainer-podcast/hard-cash-and-soft-power-what-is-going-on-in-the-world-of-golf/s-WGqCm1KraOv?si=e472db1d0e674c6a8057e1a3abbe6843&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
This episode was created by presenter Laura Byrne, senior producer Nicky Ryan and executive producer Sinéad O’Carroll.
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Why do Rory and Padraig think it’s OK to take Saudi money now, but it wasn’t OK before this?
Great to see an Irish man like Rory doing well.The best way to answer this merger is on the golf course.Go n-èirì leis.
@Willie Marty: Now if we could just get Ireland to have a merger.
@Willie Marty: He’s about as Irish as Biden.
I listen to many podcasts.
The other hand
Irish times politics
Irish times business
Rte this week
Rte drive time
The journals “explainer” is far below the named others. It’s too one sided and dull
@Barry Donnelly: Gript is pretty good.
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