The Premier Golf League Still Exists Separate Of Golf Saudi's "Super League"

Nice work by the Firepit Collective’s Alan Shipnuck to report on the difference between this week’s leaked Super Golf League concept, back by Golf Saudi, and the idea we’ve recently known as the Premier Golf League.

The reason for the confusion in early reports appears a simple one: Golf Saudi has taken the framework for the “PGL” and made it their own.

I can confirm from a well-placed source and separate of Shipnuck’s report: the PGL remains a separate entity with aspirations still tied to their initial plans first revealed here a year ago.

The confusion stems from Golf Saudi essentially lifting the format and concept. I know, you’re shocked.

Shipnuck writes:

After the idea for the PGL was born in 2019 there were advanced discussions with Golf Saudi to underwrite the all-star new tour. A deal was never consummated and now Saudi Arabia is making its own play with the Super Golf League. “They 100% stole our idea,” says the PGL investor, who hails from Europe.

There are substantial differences between the two would-be tours. The Super Golf League is conceived as 10-12 tournaments a year based in the Mid East and in particular Saudi Arabia, which has a stated goal of building dozens of new golf courses and introducing a million citizens to the game over the next decade. Golf Saudi’s motivation in creating the SGL is continued reputation-laundering for the brutal regime that supports it.

The Premier Golf League was backed by Raine Group for a time, but are no longer fronting the PGL concept after merger talks with the European Tour fell through. Shipnuck explains where the PGL stands:

Having parted ways with the Saudis, the PGL is now staked by three dozen investors described by the insider as “guys who own existing sports franchises, high net-worth individuals who love golf and multinational corporations.” It is a mix of mostly American and European interests. The schedule would be comprised of 18 tournaments running January-October. The Tour would begin in Florida, migrate to Australia and Asia before returning the Southeastern U.S. ahead of the Masters. Ensuing tournaments would be played Stateside through the U.S. Open, followed by a long swing through Europe and then a return to Asia, with the grand finale contested back in America. Each tournament would have 48 players vying for a purse of $20 million. (Winner’s checks would approach $4 million while last place would pay out $250K; there is no cut.) Each event would crown an individual stroke play champion but there would be a concurrent, season-long 4-man team competition that would be decided in the season finale.

That does leave behind specifics on a team element that was a huge part of the PGL concept (and which I think remains fascinating both for fans and perhaps changing the commercialization of pro events).

Shipnuck’s story goes on to detail the world of Saudi Arabia if you are interested.