This wasn’t just a golf tournament. It was a spectacle - equal parts political rally, business summit, and sporting drama. Donald Trump, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and Gary Player turned the final round of LIV Golf New York into a crossroads of power and personality. The atmosphere at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point crackled with more energy than a playoff hole. Forget the leaderboard for a second. This was about money, influence, and the future of golf’s great divide.
The VIP Cart Ride That Broke the Internet
The defining image arrived early. Trump and Al-Rumayyan, side by side in a golf cart, cruised the fairways like two kings surveying their kingdom. The photos spread like wildfire. They captured the unlikely alliance between the former president and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund chief. Gary Player, the 89-year-old icon, added a layer of old-school gravitas to the group. Suddenly, the trio was the most talked-about gallery in sports. Social media erupted with one recurring question - has golf ever seen a power trio like this?
For Trump, it was a home game. Ferry Point is one of his prized New York properties, and he played host to perfection. He shook hands with players on the 18th green and soaked in the cheers. But the real story was the message it sent: LIV Golf isn’t going anywhere, and its ties to Trump remain ironclad. With the PIF holding the purse strings, having Al-Rumayyan courtside was a bold statement of intent. According to The Guardian’s live coverage, the cart ride was the single most discussed moment of the tournament - a visual that blurred every line between sport, statecraft, and showbiz.
The 18th Green Handshake: A Moment of Unity
Sergio García tapped in his final putt to seal the individual title at 18-under-par. Trump was there to congratulate him personally. The image of the former president embracing the Spanish star was a PR win for LIV, which has faced constant criticism over its Saudi backing. For the fans packed around the green, it was a surreal blend of sports and statesmanship - exactly what LIV has been chasing since its launch.
📊 Sergio García’s $4 million individual payday - The largest single prize of the LIV Golf season, claimed with a flawless final-round 65.
The handshake felt like a coronation. The crowd ate it up. Trump lingered on the green, working the ropes like a seasoned pro, while Al-Rumayyan watched from the shade with a satisfied smile. Gary Player, ever the showman, tipped his cap to the gallery. It was a picture-perfect ending for LIV - one that screamed legitimacy, longevity, and star power.
García and Ripper GC Upstage the Politics
Let’s not forget there was actual golf played. García was flawless all week, firing a final-round 65 to secure the top spot. His Fireballs GC teammates lapped up the glory, but it was Ripper GC - Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, and Matt Jones - who hoisted the team trophy and split the $3 million purse. The Aussie squad’s victory was a testament to their consistency, but even they had to share the spotlight with the sideline circus.
Smith, ever the laid-back competitor, seemed unfazed by the chaos around him. "It’s loud, it’s different, but it’s LIV," he said post-round. "You get used to the extra buzz." That buzz was undeniable. The crowd at Ferry Point was the loudest of the season, proving that golf can be rowdy, political, and entertaining all at once.
| Category | Winner | Score / Purse |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Champion | Sergio García (Fireballs GC) | 18-under-par, $4M |
| Team Champions | Ripper GC (Smith, Leishman, Herbert, Jones) | $3M team purse |
| Runner-Up Individual | Jon Rahm (Legion XIII) | 16-under-par, $2.25M |
| Attendance Highlight | 18th Green Gathering | Trump, Al-Rumayyan, Player |
What This Means for Golf’s Uncertain Future
Behind the scenes, merger talks between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and PIF remain stuck in limbo. As of December 2025, no final agreement had been reached. The framework deadline? Long past. Yet here was Al-Rumayyan, grinning in a golf cart with Trump, projecting an image of stability and confidence. It was a shrewd move - showing the golf world that LIV has the backing to keep going, merger or no merger.
