After Guy Kinnings, the European Tour Group chief executive, held meetings with the PGA Tour and PIF on September 11, there were immediate reactions from the families of 9/11 victims. Golf fans also reacted strongly, viewing Kinnings's actions as a catastrophic move that disrespected the victims. In response to the huge backlash, Kinnings later decided to address the criticism.
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Notably, Terry Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, expressed that the involvement of key golf figures in such a meeting was "disgusting." Despite anticipating these reactions, Kinnings and the others chose not to change their original plans and proceeded with the meeting to address some uncertainties regarding the final agreement and the future of golf.
In his lengthy address, Kinnings emphasized his deep sympathy and empathy for the families of the victims. He stressed that they were unaware of the date prior to the meeting and hadnt thought much about it. He stated that their intention was never to disrespect anyone and there were no hidden motives behind the gathering. As the head of the European Tour, he aims to move the world of golf in the right direction, recognizing that people can sometimes overlook important dates.
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Since taking on this role, Kinnings has been motivated to bring about change and help golf rejuvenate. However, his tenure has not started ideally, as he quickly garnered a huge number of critics.
Kinnings expressed that he felt optimistic after the meeting regarding the potential for reaching a deal. He mentioned that there is still much work ahead and that the process is complicated, but he believes this complexity could be a positive sign. Everyone involved is hopeful for a successful outcome.
Negotiations between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf have been ongoing for some time, but a final agreement still seems far off. Despite leaders from all three tours frequently stating that a resolution could be reached soon, progress appears to be stalled. Kinnings is trying to influence the talks positively, but one individual alone may not have the power to drive significant change.
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PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan admitted that there are certain obstacles, particularly related to players with special requests, as noted by Rory McIlroy. Although Monahan didn't elaborate on these challenges, he remains optimistic that improvements can be made and that issues will eventually be resolved.
All three tours are tired of constant disagreements and setbacks. A united front could bring a lot of benefits, not just for the tours and players, but also for fans awaiting a resolution.
Guy Kinnings and his goals
When Kinnings arrived in April, he stressed the importance of getting the right people together, including groups like PGA Tour Enterprises and the Saudi Public Investment Fund. He wanted to talk about what the future of golf could look like, especially in 2026 and beyond. Kinnings made it clear that without the right people in the same room and a real willingness to negotiate, it would be tough to reach any agreements. He pointed out that this is how business works: you shouldn't leave until you've made a deal.
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The European Tour Group chief executive clarified that the Saudis, especially Yassir, want to make sure everything is done right. He mentioned that Yassir is a smart businessman who understands the current situation. Kinnings points out that Yassir is looking for a long-term solution because having a divided golf scene isnt good for anyone. He stressed that its important to make improvements for the future of professional golf. With TV viewership numbers dropping, Kinnings highlighted the need for quick action to avoid serious damage to the sport, and hes confident that Yassir cares about protecting the game he loves.
