Report: Saudi Arabia step up interest in prestigious British golf clubs

The PIF’s interest in Wentworth is not over, it seems, despite being warned off by the current owners. But that’s not all…

LIV Golf Wentworth? That could be a real thing if Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund get their way.

Mail Online have reported that PIF governor Yasir Al-Rummayan is prepared to dip into kingdom’s $900 billion sovereign wealth fund to buy the prestigious Surrey golf estate, which is currently home to the European Tour and its flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship.

The rumors have been swirling for a while now, with DP World Tour golfer Eddie Pepperell saying on his Chipping Forecast podcast in November that “the PIF are buying Wentworth, for sure”.

Since then, the current owners, Reignwood Investments, founded by Thai-Chinese billionaire Dr Chanchai Ruayrungruang, have always been adamant that the property is not for sale.

In a statement, the Beijing-based company – which acquired Wentworth for $175 million in 2014 – said they “are not in conversation with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund in relation to the sale of the Club and that remains the case”.

They added: “Reignwood Group is committed to its long-term vision for Wentworth and continues to invest into the club facility.”

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But that, according to Mail Online, has not deterred those who sign the checks at the PIF, whose current involvement in golf includes bankrolling the LIV Golf League and an ongoing merger deal with the PGA Tour.

The report also says the PIF is keen on a “low-profile acquisition” of Centurion Club.

The Hertfordshire club hosted the very first LIV event in the summer of 2022 and it returned in 2023, but last year the league switched their UK event to JCB Golf & Country Club in Staffordshire.

TG has reached out to the PIF, Reignwood and Centurion for comment.