The rift that has gripped the world of professional men’s golf for the past three years may be coming to a head following news that the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League has reportedly inked a $1.3 billion deal to join the PGA. Visiting.
Although the exact details of the proposed deal are still under wraps, according to a report published in The Sun newspaper on Saturday, it is understood that the deal will give the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which finances LIV Golf, an 11% stake. PGA Tour, and two seats on the board, including the position of chairman.
LIV Golf, which holds its first event in May 2022, has created a major divide in men’s professional golf since its inception in 2021, as more than a dozen former major champions and the world’s top 50 players make the jump to the league from behind. of large signing fees and greatly increased 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 among the household names who joined the start-up of the league, which created a fracture in the professional game that ended friendships, disrupted the Ryder Cup, and saw a sharp drop in TV viewing figures for PGA Tour events after a drain on talent.
LIV Golf made Jon Rahm its biggest employer last year, with the Spaniard reportedly paying around £500 million to land him on various tours.
Now, however, it seems that the end of the saga seems to be near, as THE SUN reports that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have both played ‘an important role in the peace talks’, although both have publicly stated that they wish to have nothing to do. by LIV Golf.
PLAYER CONSENT REQUIRED
Although the merger plans still need to be approved by the PGA Tour players, they are expected to agree to a deal, which would see LIV Golf players able to participate in PGA Tour events that do not conflict with the LIV schedule, although it is unlikely. that the merger will see existing PGA Tour players participate in LIV Golf events, whose three-round tournaments are currently limited to just 54 players.
Those who remain loyal to the PGA Tour are set to benefit from the merger of two rival tours. Since the PGA Tour’s purse will be boosted by more than $1 billion in Saudi money the Tour will have money to compensate PGA Tour members who turned down offers to join LIV.
The 2024 edition of the LIV Golf League includes 14 events, but it is now expected to fall under the PGA Tour umbrella as part of a revised tournament schedule that could begin in 2026.
Neither LIV Golf nor the PGA Tour has made a public statement about the proposed deal.
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