A $3 billion deal as clear as tangled Christmas lights

GM. This is Easy Pars. The golf newsletter that hopes Bill Murray is able to make the Pro-Am next year.

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• A “deal” is here, even though details are few confusing

• Jon Rahm and the Thunder thief

• Pro-Am kicks off today!

The long-awaited deal is nigh?

JK, it’s a whole new deal.

Ok, so news just broke that a tentative agreement has been reached between the PGA and the PIF the “Strategic Sports Group”.

The details? Up to $3 billion, with an initial $1.5 billion investment into the PGA.

What happened?!

This PGA/PIF deal has been wild from the start. It was a merger? Partnership? Now it seems like there is new entity (PGA Tour Enterprises) getting money from another new entity (Strategic Sports Group), which doesn’t seem like the PIF is a part of?

From what it seems (in this great write up) PIF isn’t involved, as of yet, but the door is still open.

However, the timing is…interesting.

News of the deal broke right before the start of the LIV season (Mayakoba starts tomorrow).

In fact, this deal was announced right around LIV press conferences, including Rahm’s new team.

The backers of the deal are massive sports investors in other sports (Baseball, NASCAR, etc.).

Let’s read between the lines a bit. First, Tiger is apparently all on board.

Next, the PGA renews their efforts and “draws a hard line” for players who defected.

Then, Greg Norman issues a memo saying LIV isn’t going anywhere. (Panic mode?)

This looks like the PGA trying to avoid a full merge with PIF/PGA, and ultimately win the golf war. At least in our humble opinion.

And this doesn’t even cover the details, which are so confusing, including $900 million going directly to players, but in a meritorious payout structure (not yet constructed).

What do you think?

It’s way too early to tell, but something tells us that we’re going to see some big changes, inclusion of teams, different angles, and maybe leagues (like popular Soccer and Football formats?).

We’ll see.

Jon Rahm’s debut is off to a rocky start

Rahm’s move to LIV seems so rushed. Tyrell’s move equally rushed. The Legion XIII team…rushed. Again, in our opinion.

I mean, just look at the image they chose for branding. That close up makes my man look like a Stay Puft creeper.

Then, the PGA announces a tentative multi-billion dollar deal (sans PIF) during Rahm’s big day.

We’ll see if he plays well, but if we’re right about this — coverage of Mayakoba will be slim.

The Pro-Am is different this year

Maybe it’s just us, but a Pebble Beach Pro-Am without Bill Murray is a sad state of affairs. He won’t be there this year.

To be honest, there aren’t a whole lot of top notch celebrity Amateurs on the list this year. Golfweek listed 9 pairings, and aside from Condoleezza Rice, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady — the Pro is arguably more known than the Am!

Obviously, we’ll still be watching, but hopefully more notable Ams show up next year.

Meme of the Day

😂😂

That’s it for today, golfer.

Think spring, or go winter golfing. We’ll be back first thing Monday with the next issue of Easy Pars.

Later gator,

E.