Report: Wentworth Club reacts to Saudi PIF rumour
Wentworth Club will not be sold to LIV Golf’s backers, according to a report.
Last week English pro Eddie Pepperell claimed on a BBC podcast that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund would ‘for sure’ be buying the club.
Pepperell also told The Chipping Forecast the PIF was interested in purchasing the uber-exclusive Sunningdale.
The 33-year-old, who will now be heading to DP World Tour Qualifying School after losing his card, claimed he was given the information by ‘someone who would know’.
But Wentworth have finally responded to the claim, telling Golf Monthly that it is ‘categorically’ not for sale.
A spokesperson for Wentworth claimed the owners, Reignwood, are not interesting in any further investment.
They told the publication:
“There have been numerous expressions of interests in buying Wentworth post COVID, but Reignwood is committed to its position of long-term investment in the asset.
“There has always been global interest coming directly or through agencies with expressions of interest in purchasing the Club. There has not been any direct dialogue between Wentworth Club and PIF on this topic.
“Wentworth Club is not for sale, the Reignwood Group is committed to the Club’s future and is excited about the imminent launch of the reimagined and restored East Course as well as the new state-of-the-art golf academy.”
Read the full report here.
Reignwood purchased Wentworth for £135m in 2014. More than £20m was immediately invested in all facilities.
The takeover was controversial as existing members were told that they had to rejoin and pay a £100,000 fee.
Legendary chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson was among those to criticise the move before he passed.
Wentworth Club is home to the flagship BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour. The Tour’s offices are also on-site.
American Billy Horschel won the tournament in 2024, defeating Rory McIlroy in a pulsating playoff.
Current members include Nick Dougherty, Ernie Els, Sir Elton John, Kevin Pietersen, Sir Cliff Richard and John Terry.
The aforementioned McIlroy has confirmed he plans to move to Wentworth in the future. He wants his daughter Poppy to go to school in Surrey.
The Sun previously reported that he had spent between £10-14m developing a mansion to his specifications.
PGA Tour-PIF update
Meanwhile, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF continue to negotiate the terms of last June’s framework agreement.
Over the weekend, the Sun newspaper reported that lightning had finally struck and a deal worth more than $1bn will be announced shortly.
The deal, which would end the hostilities in the elite men’s game, would reportedly see the PIF take an 11 per cent stake in PGA Tour Enterprises.
It is understood that PIF governor and LIV mastermind, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, would assume the role of chairman under the terms.
Golf fans have been furiously debating whether the report is genuine.
Read more here.
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