What NBC were preparing to do at the Mexico Open amid ‘serious buzz’ behind the scenes about the PGA Tour’s talks with the PIF

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There was a stage last week where some would not have believed it had you suggested that the Mexico Open would end without an announcement of an agreement between the PGA Tour and the PIF which brought the game of golf much closer to coming back together.

Of course, golf fans have been waiting for a deal between the PGA Tour and the owners of LIV Golf for some time. It is not far off being two years since the framework agreement between the two sides was announced.

There have been plenty of false dawns along the way – including reports towards the end of 2024 which suggested that the PIF were set to buy a stake in the PGA Tour. But the rhetoric has been a little different of late.

Tiger Woods‘ comments at the Genesis Invitational were almost startling. Woods suggested that a deal is close – with the best players set to have the chance to play against each other again.

Smylie Kaufman says broadcasters were ready to announce PGA Tour deal with the PIF during the Mexico Open

And with President Trump hosting a meeting between the PGA Tour and Yasir Al-Rumayyan on Thursday, it appeared that the talks were in the home straight. In fact, reports suggested LIV players could feature at the Players Championship in March – despite LIV having their own event in Singapore the same week.

And it seems that the broadcasters were prepared for a big announcement. Speaking on The Smylie Show, Smylie Kaufman noted that NBC Sports were ready to cut away from the Mexico Open.

“I felt like the PGA Tour, with all the buzz, felt inclined that they had to put a statement out. I was in the booth on Thursday and there was a potential for us to go live to all of this to announce the new PGA Tour with LIV. There was some serious buzz behind the scenes that there was something happening and it was imminent,” he said.

Stalemate between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continues

Unfortunately for those hoping to see a resolution, there was a lack of significant updates. Jay Monahan did little more than acknowledge that talks had taken place as he described discussions as ‘constructive’.

And it has been suggested that the talks were not as productive as hoped. So it appears that the circus is going to continue for a while longer at least.

Perhaps LIV stars appearing at the 2026 Players Championship may prove to be achievable. But some will not be holding their breath.