Saudi Arabia's golf case threatens to spill kingdom secrets

12.03.2023 - 18:51 cbc.ca

Officials who oversee Saudi Arabia's tens of billions of dollars in U.S. investments haven't been shy about flaunting their ties with top American business and political figures, down to wearing MAGA caps as they swing golf clubs alongside former President Donald Trump.

But they've been silent about many of the details of these relationships. That's changing as a result of a federal lawsuit in California pitting the Saudi-owned golf tour upstart LIV against the PGA Tour.

A judge, citing what she described as the kingdom's hands-on management of LIV, found that when it came to the new golf league, Saudi officials and the Saudi government aren't shielded from U.S.

courts the way sovereign nations usually are. While Saudi Arabia is fighting the decision, insisting U.S. courts have no jurisdiction over its high officials, the ruling means lawyers for the PGA Tour would be able to question top officials about business secrets that the Saudis have held close, such as details of deal-making involving 2024 presidential candidate Trump and others.

Boxing Sporting golf Donald Trump U.S.District Usa Saudi Arabia state California

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Kingdom’s marshal team gears up for Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix

JEDDAH: The Kingdom’s marshal team is gearing up for the STC Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023 on Sunday, with the group consisting of 800 volunteers, 640 of whom were given extra training and opportunity to help organize this global event.

It's all to play for at Saudi Arabian GP as Sergio Perez is new favourite to seal victory

Sergio Perez claimed pole position for Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to salvage pride for Red Bull after Max Verstappen was forced out of qualifying with a driveshaft failure in Q2.

Sergio Perez takes second pole position of career, Max Verstappen 15th in dramatic Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying

Sergio Perez took pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as team-mate Max Verstappen had a drivetrain problem which left him down in 15th place. Verstappen, who won the season-opener in Bahrain, was the big favourite to start the race from first place after topping all three practice sessions. Ad However, during Q2, his drivetrain failed so the reigning world champion will start 15th for the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Sergio Pérez on pole for Saudi Arabian F1 GP after Max Verstappen falters

Max Verstappen has repeatedly warned against believing his Red Bull team held all the cards in the opening rounds of the new Formula One season. It was a guarded stance that looked unnecessarily wary but the Dutchman’s caution proved all too prescient when he was forced to retire from qualifying at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. His teammate, Sergio Pérez, duly stepped up to take pole but the mechanical failure of the Red Bull is a first chink in the armour that will provide succour to the teams languishing in their wake.