PGA Tour ‘closer to LIV deal’ after Trump intervention

After calling on American President Donald Trump to get involved, the PGA Tour claims to be “closer to a deal” with rival series LIV Golf.

As the organization looks to continue its cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which funds LIV, Trump met with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott this week.

In an effort to reconcile the two organizations’ differences in world golf, the PGA Tour has been engaged in drawn-out negotiations with PIF.

“We asked the President to get involved for the good of the game, the good of the country, and for all the countries involved”, said the statement which came from Monahan, Scott and 15-time major winner Tiger Woods, who is also a player director.

We are appreciative of his leadership in facilitating a final agreement, which will allow for the men’s professional golf to re-enter the fray.

LIV Golf started in 2022 and, lured by huge signing on fees and prize funds, several top players moved from the PGA Tour circuit, including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia.

A deadline to finish the merger with PIF was passed at the end of the year, but the PGA Tour and the European-based DP World Tour made an announcement in June 2023 that the two organizations had reached a “framework agreement” regarding the merger.

The US Open will become the first major to grant rankings-based exemptions to players participating in the LIV Golf Tour on Wednesday.