The end appears to be in sight as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the PGA Tour near an agreement which would end 18 months of turbulence for professional golf.
June 6, 2023, rocked the professional scene after the PGA Tour announced a framework agreement with the PIF. However, since then, a multitude of false dawns have emerged.
The most recent surfaced in November 2024 when reports suggested the PIF was close to acquiring 11% of the PGA Tour Enterprises. However, the trail went cold during December and January.
Yet, over the past week, positive noises have been heard from some of the game’s most influential names. Whilst conducting a brief broadcast appearance at the Genesis Invitational, Tiger Woods claimed a merger agreement was close. What’s more, Jay Monahan and Adam Scott visited Donald Trump at the White House before last week’s Signature Event. There’s hope the President’s involvement will fast-track a deal through the Department of Justice.
PGA Tour should make demand of LIV Golf
Much of the talk surrounding the ongoing discussions between the PIF and PGA Tour centres around a merger or reunification of the world’s best players. Currently, golf fans get to see the strongest fields in the majors.
The PGA Tour has been firm in its stance on LIV players. Any golfer who joins the PIF-backed league will be banned for one year following their last event. No LIV player has returned to the PGA Tour thus far.
However, the discourse around the merger primarily focusses on LIV players returning to the PGA Tour and playing select events: Genesis Invitational, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Memorial Tournament, Arnold Palmer Invitational, etc.
There has never been much discussion about PGA Tour players occasionally featuring in LIV Golf events – and both parties are potentially missing a trick.
For example, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy handpick the events they want to play. The Mexico Open this week isn’t a priority for the world’s best players. If there was a LIV event at the same time, is it unrealistic to think four PGA Tour players would take part?
The PGA Tour LIV team would allow some of the game’s biggest names to participate in the 54-hole league while still completing their full Tour schedule. As negotiations reach a close, Jay Monahan and the Tour’s executives could place such a demand on the PIF and LIV.
When could PGA Tour players actually play LIV Golf events?
One issue that would have to be overcome is the current LIV schedule. For example, the LIV Golf Adelaide event ran alongside the Genesis Invitational.
If such an eventuality were to occur, it would be necessary to move LIV stops away from when PGA Tour Signature Events take place.
However, if switching the schedule up proves troublesome for both sides, those PGA Tour players who don’t make Signature Event fields would no doubt be eager to keep their competitive juices flowing and represent a PGA Tour team on LIV.
With LIV’s viewing figures low, the chance to incorporate a PGA Tour dynamic would certainly increase interest and add spice to the league.
Another issue for LIV to consider would be the prospect of the PGA Tour team actually becoming the dominant force. The prospect of Scheffler and McIlroy thriving in the 54-hole league would be a damning one for new CEO Scott O’Neil, particularly after his comments in Adelaide last week.
Yet, with interest low and the product waning after $5bn of investment, it’s a risk LIV officials may be forced to take.
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