LIV’s new CEO details what his relationship with Jay Monahan is actually like and says what people are getting wrong about PGA Tour merger

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LIV Golf’s new CEO, Scott O’Neil, has shared the latest on whether a PGA Tour merger could actually happen.

Rumour and speculation were rife during the off-season as talks between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the PGA Tour continued.

At the beginning of November, reports emerged suggesting the PIF was close to acquiring 11% of the PGA Tour Enterprises. However, since then, little has emerged from either side. At the time, even some of the world’s best golfers knew little about the negotiations.

Rory McIlroy said he knew nothing about an imminent agreement, and LIV Golf star Tyrrell Hatton was also left in the dark.

O’Neil, speaking in a podcast alongside his daughter, has now shared the latest.

Scott O’Neil shares update on LIV Golf-PGA Tour talks

Initially, O’Neil said the reports of a merger were actually inaccurate. “It’s actually been a bit misreported as a merger. I mentioned the PIF. It almost operates as a private equity firm. They’re looking to make an investment into PGA Enterprises. It wouldn’t be a merger,” he said.

Instead, the new LIV CEO explained how the PIF’s potential investment into the PGA Tour would actually be the first step before any merger discussions take place.

“We would have a similar investor. They own almost 100% of LIV, and they would own a percentage of PGA. Hopefully, that unlocks an opportunity to work together,” he added.

“Wouldn’t you want to see the PGA vs LIV players? Wouldn’t you want to see some PGA players in LIV events and some LIV players in PGA events? All of this is conjecture.”

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What is Scott O’Neil’s relationship with Jay Monahan like?

LIV’s new CEO went on to reveal that he’s a long-time friend of PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and hopes to reach an agreement with the 54-year-old.

“I am really fortunate to have a relationship with Jay Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA. He’s a dear friend, and we will be able to work something fun out. Hopefully, we will get this thing done,” O’Neil added.

O’Neil was named as Greg Norman’s successor last month, and the American joins LIV with a wealth of sports executive experience.

O’Neil has over 25 years of experience managing global sports brands and has held leadership positions at some of the USA’s most prominent sporting institutions: the NBA’s New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, and the NHL’s New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.

Clearly, a business head was required to take LIV forward, and the breakaway league could well have found the ideal replacement for Norman.