PGA Tour and LIV merge to end bitter split.

The Golf World Unites: PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Circuit Merge

By Frank Pingue

(Reuters) – The world of golf was left stunned on Tuesday as the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and rival Saudi-backed LIV circuit, who have been involved in a bitter fight that has split the sport, announced a shock agreement to merge and form one unified commercial entity.

The announcement of the merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Circuit has sent shockwaves through the golfing world. The bitter feud between the organizations has been well-documented, but this historic agreement marks a new era of unity and collaboration.

The organizations have also announced that they will work together to allow LIV Golf players to reapply for membership on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour following the 2023 season. This move has been met with mixed reactions, with some PGA Tour players expressing surprise and disappointment at not being informed of the agreement beforehand.

A New Era of Unity

“After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “We just realized that we were better off together than we were fighting or apart.”

The deal is a binding framework agreement, but the financial terms have not been hashed out yet. Michael Klein & Co will conduct valuation work on LIV’s assets, and Allen & Co will conduct valuation work on the PGA Tour’s assets before the price at which the merger will happen gets determined.

The announcement of the merger includes an agreement to end all pending litigation between the participating parties. Additionally, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) will make a capital investment into the new entity to facilitate its growth and success.

“Today is a very exciting day for this special game and the people it touches around the world,” said PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. “We are proud to partner with the PGA Tour to leverage PIF’s unparalleled success and track record of unlocking value and bringing innovation and global best practices to business and sectors worldwide.”

Despite the controversy surrounding the LIV Circuit’s Saudi backing, the deal seems to have come together quickly with little fuss and no leaks – despite it being one of the biggest commercial stories in the history of sport.

“I give Yasir great credit for coming to the table, coming to discussions with an open heart and an open mind. We did the same, and the game of golf is better for what we’ve done here today,” said Monahan.

Mixed Reactions

While some PGA Tour players have expressed surprise and disappointment at not being informed of the agreement beforehand, others have welcomed the move. Among the more popular players who made the move to LIV Golf are Hall of Fame golfer Phil Mickelson, former world number one Dustin Johnson, reigning PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka, and 2022 British Open winner Cameron Smith.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who owns three courses that are part of LIV Golf’s 14-event schedule in 2023, celebrated the deal in a Truth social post using all caps.

“Great news from LIV Golf. A big, beautiful, and glamorous deal for the wonderful world of golf. Congrats to all!!!”

Advocacy groups 9/11 Families United and Democracy for the Arab World Now, which was founded by Jamal Khashoggi, were among the organizations that denounced the deal. However, one antitrust expert said that the PGA/LIV deal would be approved, while two others said it was too close to call.

Despite the mixed reactions, this historic agreement marks a new era of unity and collaboration in the golfing world.