PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and DP Tour Unite in Groundbreaking Merger

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed league established last year, have announced their intention to merge, aiming to create a unified and globally dominant entity in the realm of professional golf. While the merger is still subject to finalization, it promises to bring an end to ongoing legal conflicts that have cast a shadow over men’s professional golf in recent times.

Under the proposed agreement, which also includes the participation of the DP World Tour, the three organizations have agreed to establish a new, collectively owned, for-profit entity. This collaboration aims to generate maximum excitement and competition among the finest players in the sport, while emphasizing that the PGA Tour will maintain its current not-for-profit, tax-exempt status.

As part of the deal, the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund will become the exclusive investor for the yet-to-be-named company. The PGA Tour will retain a majority of board seats, with Yasir al-Rumayyan, the governor of the wealth fund, assuming the position of chairman. Current PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan is set to take on the role of chief executive officer, as outlined in the official announcement.

“This is a historic day for the game we all know and love, following two years of disruption and distraction,” stated Monahan, expressing optimism about the future. “We are committed to delivering on our promise to promote the best competition in professional golf and to secure and drive the game’s future.”

The merger comes after a period of escalating tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. LIV Golf, with its significant financial incentives and alluring contracts, enticed prominent players such as Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson away from traditional tournaments. The PGA Tour responded by imposing sanctions on 17 players who defected to LIV Golf, and subsequent legal battles ensued. While critics accused LIV Golf of engaging in “sportswashing” to mask human rights concerns, the PGA Tour countered by accusing LIV golfers of betraying the United States and condoning such abuses.

The announcement of the merger received mixed reactions. LIV golfer Phil Mickelson expressed his enthusiasm by retweeting the news with a smiling face emoji and the phrase “awesome day today.” Former President Trump also voiced support for the merger, hailing it as a significant development for the world of golf. However, some PGA loyalists, including player Michael Kim, expressed surprise and questioned the level of awareness within the PGA Tour regarding the deal.

The agreement sets the stage for a fair and objective process to allow LIV Golf players to reapply for PGA Tour membership for the 2024 season. In the interim, the PGA Tour, LIV Tour, and DP World Tour will continue to operate separately, with their respective schedules proceeding as planned, starting with the U.S. Open in the upcoming weeks.