To put things in simple terms, before LIV Golf was introduced, the golf world was a less controversial and much simpler space. The golf world was turned upside down in 2022 when the Saudi-funded league made its way to the American golf world. It was maybe LIV Golf’s distinctive format, off-the-beaten schedule, ground-breaking rules, hefty paychecks, or maybe the league’s sponsor that turned the major chunk of the golf world against it. Despite the backlash, the Saudi League’s story has indeed been a one-of-a-kind success story! The LIV Golf’s first season was a slow one, but the success and pace that the former rebel league picked up in its second season are sure to be appreciated. It sure makes for a good case study!

Owing to its huge success in the second season and seeing some tremendous heights after some infuriating lows, the Saudi-funded league had quite an evening a few nights ago! The league was presented with three honorary awards, and there was no mention of any brand new, distinctive tournaments. This might have raised one question in the minds of golf enthusiasts, and that would be: Is the World Golf Awards PIF-fied? Well, let us find out!

Tiger Woods overlooked: Are the World Golf Awards bought off by Saudis?

Out of the 50 awards given this year at the World Golf Awards, LIV Golf was the recipient of three of them. The Saudi League won accolades for the World’s Best Golf Event of the Year 2023 (Adelaide Event) and the World’s Best Golf Innovation Award 2023. Other than these two, LIV’s boss, Greg Norman, was awarded Golf Course Designer of the Year 2023.

The Adelaide event was one of the most successful events of LIV Golf in the two seasons so far, and the crowd just emerged from everywhere to spectate their favorite golfers’ play. Other than that, it is true that the Backway League’s format is distinctive, but to call it the best innovation of 2023 seems like a bit of a stretch.

This year marked the announcement of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s innovative TGL, which brings forth a format in golf that has never been seen before. TGL brilliantly combines the spirit of sport with well-curated technology, yet it did not make it to the top under Golf’s Best Innovation for this year, whereas LIV Golf did not really innovate this year and just had its regular seasonal events. Grant Thorton Invitational, a maiden innovative event that brings male and female golfers together in pairs, was also nowhere mentioned in the innovation category.

TGL and Grant Thorton offer the golf world the innovation it has been lacking and present a distinctive and innovative format from the regular golf events that all the fans get to experience. The golf great Tiger Woods was also nowhere mentioned in the honorable categories, such as best course designer, or any of the other startling PGA Tour‘s events in the best event category were not mentioned as well.

Read More: A Year and More into Shattering the Golf Bests Into Two, Saudi Arabia’s PIF Meets Roadblock from a New Territory, as Per Reports

The list of sponsors and investors in the World Golf Awards is huge, and it is possible that the Saudi Public Investment Fund might have bought off some of it, or maybe all of it. Even the fans say that the WGA is bought off, and hence, as a result, they prefer LIV Golf over any other more deserving awardees.

What are the World Golf Awards?

The World Golf Awards, also known as WGA, areae celebration of people, courses, brands, equipment, and anything else related to golf. The awards are part of the World Travel Awards and will return in 2023 for their tenth annual edition. This year’s ceremony took place in Abu Dhabi at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Yas Island.

A total of 50 awards were given out in the sport, honoring the sporty and business sides of the game. It was a gala night that brought together the sport in a less competitive sense. Winners were awarded a bronze trophy with a brass plate below it, transcribed with the category of the award and the winner’s name.

Well, whether or not the Saudi PIF Governor has bought a major chunk of the World Golf Awards, they sure did favor LIV Golf, it seems! Whether the favoritism continues next year or not, tune in to find out!

Watch this story | ‘They are Desperate’: Fans React as Greg Norman and His LIV Golf Turn Mighty in the World Just Hours After a Major Setback