Heading into 2025, it appeared to be a matter of when and not if the PGA Tour reached a deal which resulted in a truce with LIV Golf and the game coming back together after nearly three years of a split.
Ever since the framework agreement shocked the golfing world in June 2023, it seemed that all parties were determined to end golf’s civil war. And there have been some moments for optimism since.
Reports in 2024 claimed PIF were set to buy an 11 percent stake in the PGA Tour, with LIV Golf events to be played under their banner. However, it appears that those reports were premature, with nothing announced in the months since.
In fact, the only indication there has been that talks are moving in the right direction came at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last year when Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan played together in one round.
LIV Golf accused of kicking sands in the eyes of the PGA Tour after ‘fascinating’ move
The only news which acted as confirmation that the two tours are almost certainly not going to unite in 2025 came with both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf publishing their schedules for the season. Neither has left a window open for changes to be made.
But perhaps LIV made the most intriguing move, announcing that their final three events will be played in the same weeks as the FedEx Cup playoffs.
In fact, speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, Rex Hoggard has suggested that the decision could easily be taken as an indication that an agreement between the two tours is further away than anticipated.
“Their schedule is the one which stood out the most to be honest with you because you see how LIV has pivoted. It seemed to be that early, first year at least, that they wanted to go head to head with the PGA Tour. The vast majority of their events were in the United States, they decided we can make this work. They have realised this is an uphill battle. Eight of the 14 events this year on LIV Golf are outside of the United States. The ones which are here are at venues like Trump National, where they have had success. It’s the week before the Masters, there is a lot of attention going on right there because the players are getting ready to go to Augusta National,” he said.
“The part that did stick out to me from the schedule release is that they are going head to head with the last three play off events on the PGA Tour. That to me is fascinating because it seems to me what we are heading behind the scenes is that golf is getting closer and closer to coming together, that we are finding some sort of peace and some sort of way to end the separation between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. This seems like LIV Golf is just kicking sand in the PGA Tour’s eye.
“The comments from officials with LIV was that they didn’t want to go head to head with football. I understand that, nobody wants to go head to head with football. But you only have 14 events. There is a lot of room on the calendar to work 14 events in, as opposed to 45 events on the PGA Tour. That one seems to suggest to me that we are probably not as close as a lot of people think they are to coming to some sort of agreement.”
Why the PGA Tour is already set for victory in 2025 with changes to the Tour Championship mooted
It is definitely a bold strategy from LIV to put themselves up against the PGA Tour, particularly at such a crucial time in the season.
LIV has not managed to make any marquee signings in the winter. So it is hard to imagine the tour increasing its audience unless the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have better seasons.
Admittedly, the Tour Championship was extremely dull last year. However, the PGA Tour are considering changes to the format in the hope of creating more excitement. And if they stumble upon an inspired idea, it will lead to a real buzz.
Perhaps LIV feel that it is a risk worth taking. However, it also provides a reminder of the problems reaching a compromise will entail, with three tours – including the DP World Tour – all looking for their moments to shine in an already congested calendar.
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