We have plenty of news from the world of sports this morning:
#1- Another sign that the PGA Tour unlikely to go through with its Liv Golf merger: The PGA board member most in favor of the transaction is quitting. Investment banker Jimmy Dunne “is resigning from his post, saying he has been shut out from stalled talks. “No meaningful progress has been made toward a transaction with the PIF,” he said in a letter to the board seen by the Wall Street Journal.
RACING-
#2- Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi and German co-driver Timo Gottschalk took the Tabuk Toyota Rally in a second consecutive victory on Saturday, state news agency SPA reported, with a 16:37 margin of victory. “It was good for us,” Al Rajhi said, according to Arab News. “It was not easy, very tricky actually. We have good stages in Saudi now. Before it was flat, flat and now it is more technical with good navigation and you need to focus all the time. Now we look ahead to Baja Greece.”
Other notable performances include Saudi female driver Dania Akeel and co-driver Stephane Duple who finished second overall.
BOXING
#3- The buildup for the Ring of Fire boxing showdown between heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has begun with the arrival of Anthony Joshua, former two-time former world heavyweight champion, in Saudi to spectate the Riyadh Season event, organizers said in a post on X. The fight is set to take place on Saturday, 18 May in the Kingdom Arena. You can book your tickets here.
FOOTBALL
#4- PIF boss Yasir Al Rumayyan was spotted on Tyneside earlier this week amid talks of transfers by Newcastle, majority owned by the PIF, Newcastle World writes. There’s also talk of a stadium expansion that could draw in Al Rumayyan, who was spotted with other fund executives in the stands during the team’s 1-1 draw with Brighton. Newcastle’s European quest will be decided later this month if it secures sixth spot and Manchester City wins the FA Cup final.
#5- Speaking of football: A number of the Saudi Pro League clubs are looking to sign Manchester United’s Brazilian duo Casemiro and Bruno Fernanes in the upcoming summer transfer window, The Telegraph reported yesterday. Casemiro is reportedly on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr’s radar. There is also interest from local clubs for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ederson.
We’ve been expecting more player transfers: More players are inbound, joining the likes of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, officials said in March. It remains unclear if the transfers would be of the same caliber as their predecessors, but Liverpool star Mo Salah is among those names that could be coming to Saudi.