It’s a contentious issue in the world of golf but the Saudi Golf League is something that’s being talked about more and more.
A lot of people are strongly opposed to Saudi Arabia’s 'buying up' of the world’s top talent, including the PGA Tour, who have threatened to ban golfers if they make the jump.
With a reported 1.5 billion dollar budget, there will inevitably be some movement. They’re making their best efforts to appear legitimate through the figurehead of golfing great Greg Norman.
PGA Tour golfer Richard Bland was asked about the Saudi venture on the Sky Sports Golf podcast. "I haven't given it a huge amount of thought, because at the minute it's not affecting me," he said.
"It's a difficult one, because the money being thrown around is tough to turn down for these players. The people signing are the older players and the ones maybe coming towards their autumn of their careers."
When it comes to luring top talent, one of the names Bland thinks the Saudi will be crying out for is Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman is a huge draw in any event, but he thinks he’ll be targeted specifically.
"Personally, I think it needs Rory McIlroy. Whether you've got a Jon Rahm, you've got a Collin Morikawa, you've got a Justin Thomas or you've got a DJ signed up, McIlroy is still the No 1 draw in golf."
McIlory has distanced himself from the Super Golf League in the past. Last summer, he was asked if he called it a 'money grab' and didn't see himself taking part:
If you go back to what happened in Europe with the European Super League in football, people can see it for what it is, which is a money grab, which is fine if that's what you're playing golf for is to make as much money as possible. Totally fine, then go and do that if that's what makes you happy. But I'm playing this game to try to cement my place in history and my legacy and to win major championships and to win the biggest tournaments in the world. I honestly don't think there's a better structure in place in golf, and I don't think there will be.
It's something that's divided a lot of players. Lee Westwood is one of the names that said he would be tempted to sign a multi-million-dollar contract to play in the Saudi Golf League at this stage of his career.
Lee Westwood reveals he has signed an NDA for the rumoured Saudi Super League and admitted that the PGA and DP World Tours see the new Asian Tour/ Saudi investment as a "threat" https://t.co/WL8TGuyBHc pic.twitter.com/8LE75GuAPk
— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) February 2, 2022
Others aren't as convinced. It could mean dire consequences if the PGA Tour has its way. The likes of Ian Poulter and Henrick Stenson have also been linked, but it could rule them out of future Ryder Cups.
"If they turn around in five years and said, 'This isn't what we wanted, we're not getting the returns', or whatever they hope to make out of it, where does that leave players?" Bland continued.
"If you're in your early 30s, someone like a Tyrrell Hatton, is this going to be around for the next 20 years? We don't know. I think for the younger players it's a big gamble."
When it comes to Poulter, Richard Bland thinks it might be too much money to dismiss. "If you go on 10 years from today and you look back and say Poulter never captained the Ryder Cup? You wouldn't think it, but $30m is a lot of money to turn down."
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