Adam Scott’s return to Kapalua and the world’s top 20 is pretty remarkable, especially considering the massive behind-the-scenes work he’s been juggling this past year.
As a key player on the PGA Tour board, Scott’s been in the thick of some huge changes. We’re talking about a $1.5 billion deal with Strategic Sports Group and a complete overhaul of how players keep their tour cards – only 100 players will make the cut this year.
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Adam Scott
407
115
$67,956,165
But that’s just the start. The friendly Aussie’s been working alongside Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, trying to hammer out a deal with Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf.
“Same as always. It sucks,” Scott says bluntly, chatting in a Kapalua clubhouse hallway. He’s not angry, just stating facts. “It’s not worth talking about. Obviously, it’s so complex and when the government department is involved, I think we sit and just wait for them.”
He can’t help but laugh when he adds, “If the PGA Tour is their priority, we’ve got problems.”
Word is, the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are closer than ever to striking a deal. We might even see an announcement by March’s Players Championship.
But there’s a catch – or three. The Justice Department needs to give its blessing. There’s a White House transition coming up. And the biggest question for golf fans: What happens to LIV Golf if a deal goes through?
“Soon there should be more movement,” Scott explains. “But it’s very difficult to bring all of this together, certainly from a competitions layout. Someone has to compromise their product. Who’s going to do it? Everyone a little bit? That’s not good. Someone a lot? That person is not going to be happy.”
Meanwhile, LIV Golf isn’t sitting still. They’ve just announced their fourth season, adding stops at Trump Doral, venues in Virginia and Michigan, and Mexico City’s Chapultepec.
There’s buzz about LIV landing a Fox TV deal, though they might need more than 14 tournaments to make it worth everyone’s while.
Back on the PGA Tour side, they’re wrestling with how to make the FedEx Cup championship more exciting. Scott, who won the last Tour Championship before the FedEx Cup era in 2006, has some thoughts about that too.
He’s pushing 45 now, but Scott’s not backing away from these challenges. He feels a real duty to the players he represents.
“I’m more than happy to say… the six guys fight like hell for the player groups – all of them,” Scott says proudly. “We reminded each other of what we’re here to do. We’re not here to run the business. We’re here to make sure the membership has the best chance.”
Looking at everything he’s accomplished this year, both on and off the course, it seems like he’s doing exactly that.
