PGA Tour and LIV Golf make decision on merger deadline after little progress
The proposed merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is expected to see its deadline extended into 2024.
News emerged on June 6 that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Saudi-funded breakaway league had announced a framework for a proposed merger. Since then, there has been increased speculation over the future of the sport, with many of the biggest names in golf already choosing to join LIV Golf.
Jon Rahm was the latest player to leave the PGA Tour in favour of the league financed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF). The reigning Masters champion agreed a £450 million with LIV Golf and will be part of the 2024 season.
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An initial deadline was set for December 31 for an agreement to be reached between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. However, according to a report in The Telegraph, that does not look set to happen.
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It's been claimed in the report that an agreement is not expected to be reached before the New Year between the two parties. However, there is hope that a deal can be agreed in the coming months, possibly before the Masters next April, with an extension expected to be announced in the coming days.
“There’s no chance a deal can be announced by the end of this week,” a source told The Telegraph. “But, maybe by the end of March.”
The initial deadline of December 31 has frequently been reported to have the option of being extended if necessary. The announcement of the proposed framework followed months of a bitter feud between the two respective tours, with the likes of Rory McIlroy being a supporter of the PGA Tour over the past 18 months.
The past few weeks have seen reports that the PGA Tour is seeking further investment as part of a new venture, PGA Tour Enterprises. The Tour announced that it would continue to hold talks with an investment group that includes the owners of Liverpool Football Club.
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Jon Rahm, left, and LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman (AP)
Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have owned Liverpool since 2010, and are also the owners of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League. The announcement on December 10 that the PGA Tour would continue negotiations with the Strategic Sports Group, while also maintaining talks with PIF over the merger with LIV Golf.
“We also anticipate advancing our negotiations with PIF in the weeks to come,” a memo sent to members of the PGA Tour read. “Further, the DP World Tour will continue to be an important part of the process as we build toward PGA TOUR Enterprises.”
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