Why has the PGA Tour & LIV Golf merger taken so long and when will it happen?
In June 2023 the PGA Tour and LIV Golf shook the golf world by announcing a proposed merger. Since then, there have been delays. Why?
The PGA Tour shocked the world when it announced that it would be merging with LIV Golf, a fledgling golf league that is funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). The news of course followed months worth of bitter fighting between the two organizations that saw player sanctions and even suggestions that the new golf league was nothing more than an elaborate attempt at ‘sport washing’, by a regime that many view as totalitarian and the financial hand behind many terrorist acts, including 9/11.
Is the PGA Tour/LIV Golf merger still going to happen?
In principle, Yes. On the other hand, it’s important to note that it will not be as described in the initial document that was released by the PGA Tour last summer. As most golf fans will know, a lot has happened since the agreement was first put forward not the least of which is the US government’s increased scrutiny where Saudi investment is concerned. That said, Donald Trump will take office in January 2024 and some golfers think he could be the motor needed to push this deal forward.
What has delayed the PGA Tour/LIV Golf merger?
If we’re honest, this was never going to be something that happened according to plan or in any prescribed timeline. For starters, there is the fact that players and fans alike were blindsided by reports of the merger. To that end, it was only logical when a number of players openly voiced their outrage. So intense was the backlash that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan essentially found himself under siege, something that seemingly and sadly let to health concerns and an indefinite leave of absence. Upon his return, he began the process of giving more clout to the players having apparently read between the lines where job security was concerned. This brings us to the present situation wherein the argument stands that perhaps the players are now too powerful.
If we can learn anything from Jay Monahan’s statement today, it’s that there’s is very little chance of the merger happening in 2025. The PGA commisioner makes no mention of LIV or anything even close to the leagues joining:
OK, so where is the PGA Tour/LIV Golf merger at right now?
It appears that negotiations haven’t advance in the last year. If they have, the leaders of the two organizations haven’t leaked any information. When Jon Rahm defected to LIV in December 2023, Greg Norman and many other thought it was the start of an exodus of PGA players to the new league, but that hasn’t happened. One of the reasons is the regret some players have shown like Jon Rahm himself or Brooks Koepka when they realize how small the viewership of the LIV tournaments is.
Greg Norman actually believed there would be a ripple effect when Rahm jumped ship. “To have Jon (Rahm) on board was critically important to our next steps into the future and what we want to do,” Norman told the BBC’s World Business Report last year. “It will create a domino effect, there will be more apples falling from the tree - there’s no question about it, because LIV continues to grow and develop. ...Since Jon signed, less than a week ago now, I know my phone is blowing up. I know we probably have eight to 12 players who are very, very keen to sit down and talk to us about coming on board. Time will tell.” Since that statement was made, approximately a year ago, no major names have left the PGA Tour.
At this point, while it remains unclear as to exactly when the deal will be finalized, it appears that it will happen. Of course, what the PGA Tour’s place in all of it will be remains to be seen.