The schism that has existed in the world of men’s professional golf over the last three years maybe on the verge of coming to a resolution following news that the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League is reported to have tabled a $1.3 billion deal to merge with the PGA Tour.
Although the precise details of the proposed agreement is still under wraps, according to a report published in The Sun newspaper on Saturday, it is understood the deal will give Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is financing LIV Golf, an 11% stake in the PGA Tour, along with two seats on the board, including the position of chairman.
LIV Golf, which held its first event in May 2022, has caused a huge division in men’s professional golf since it was first created in 2021, with more than a dozen former major champions and world top 50 players jumping ship to the league on the back of huge signing-on fees and vastly inflated prize funds.
Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey and Phil Mickelson were just some of the household names to join the start-up league, causing a fracture in the professional game that ended friendships, disrupted the Ryder Cup, and seen a significant drop in TV viewing figures for PGA Tour events on the back of the talent drain.
LIV Golf made Jon Rahm its biggest recruit last year, with the Spaniard reportedly paid nearly £500 million to cross over to the breakaway tour.
Now, however, an end to the saga appears to be in sight, with The Sun reporting that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have both played ‘key roles in the peace talks’, despite both having previously publicly stated their desire to have nothing to do with LIV Golf.
PLAYER APPROVAL REQUIRED
While the merger plans still need to be approved by PGA Tour players, they are expected to agree the deal, which will see LIV Golf players able to take part in PGA Tour events that don’t clash with the LIV schedule, although it is unlikely that the merger will see existing PGA Tour players take part in LIV Golf events, whose three-round tournaments are currently restricted to just 54 players.
Those who stayed loyal to the PGA Tour are set to benefit from the coming together of the two rival tours. With the PGA Tour’s coffers set to be boosted by over $1 billion of Saudi money the Tour will have the funds to compensate PGA Tour members who turned down offers to join LIV.
LIV Golf League’s 2024 schedule included 14 events, but these are now expected to fall under the PGA Tour umbrella as part of a revised tournament schedule that could start in 2026.
Neither LIV Golf or the PGA Tour have made any public statement on this proposed deal.