R&A is in talks to finance Saudi golf enterprises as the kingdom’s acceptability increases.

 

 

R&A is in talks to finance Saudi golf enterprises as the kingdom’s acceptability increases.

The R&A is in talks about sponsoring Saudi Arabian golf projects, demonstrating the kingdom’s growing recognition within the sport’s power structures. The possibility that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund may use the Open Championship or the Women’s British Open, both R&A properties, to expand its footprint in golf will only grow.

Martin Slumbers has been in regular touch with PIF Governor Yasir al-Rumayyan for months. In October, they competed in the Dunhill Links Championship together. Rumayyan had been listed as an alias on the draw sheet.

The R&A’s desire to work with Saudi Arabia has aroused eyebrows, due to the fact that the kingdom has been condemned by campaign groups and international organizations for human rights violations.

According to a spokeswoman for the regulatory organization, “Golf Saudi is an affiliated national association of the R & A, and discussions are taking place about us supporting potential development projects.”