A Senate subcommittee is demanding transparency from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf regarding their surprising merger agreement. Senator Richard Blumenthal, chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, has sent letters to both PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV CEO Greg Norman requesting records detailing the negotiations and future plans for the combined entity. Blumenthal's inquiry focuses on the motivations behind the deal, its terms, and how the PGA Tour intends to maintain its tax-exempt status.

The merger announcement, which combines the PGA Tour, European tour, and Saudi-backed LIV Golf, has drawn significant attention and sparked concerns. The governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Yasir Al-Rumayyan, will chair the new for-profit company, while Monahan will serve as CEO. This arrangement has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of the Saudi government on the future of professional golf.

Senator Blumenthal's letter highlights concerns about "sportswashing," citing critics who believe Saudi Arabia is using investments in sports to improve its global image despite its human rights record. The Senator has requested extensive documentation of communications between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf dating back to October 2021. The future of LIV Golf beyond 2023 remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation. Al-Rumayyan stated that Greg Norman was informed of the merger shortly before it was publicly announced.