WASHINGTON – Progressive lawmakers are urging the Department of Justice to probe the merger between the PGA Tour and its Saudi-backed rival LIV Golf, if not block it outright, over concerns that it would create a monopoly in the professional golf industry amid fears the new entity would empower an authoritarian regime’s efforts to launder their reputation through sports.

“The PGA sellout — its monopolistic merger with LIV — clearly merits DOJ scrutiny. A reported antitrust investigation, already underway, has higher stakes now — along with possibly new issues,” tweeted Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a top antitrust advocate who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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The deal happened with stunning speed, and Bloomberg reported Tuesday no antitrust lawyers were involved in its culmination.

The American Economic Liberties Project, a progressive antitrust group, noted the rise of LIV Golf led to higher tournament prizes.

“The consequences for golfers and their fans could be devastating and stunt innovation in the sport,” said Katherine Van Dyck, the group’s senior legal counsel. “Unless Congress grants this new venture some sort of antitrust exemption, there is no way this deal would survive legal scrutiny. Antitrust enforcers in the United States, Europe, and the U.K. have a clear path to block it.”

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