PGA Tour issue statement after meeting with Rory McIlroy over LIV Golf deal
The PGA Tour has told its players they will have a say on the logistics behind its proposed agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), following a meeting with several players including Rory McIlroy.
On the back of the deal between the PGA Tour and PIF, which will see it work in unison with LIV Golf and the DP World Tour, further details on the agreement were released by various outlets on Monday. Within the document, there was an explanation into how LIV players would be integrated back into the PGA Tour and DP World Tour after previously being suspended and sanctioned.
As well as this, information on how LIV Golf will finally acquire Official World Golf Ranking recognition was outlined, as well as what the breakaway circuit's future will look like in the future. On the back of the shock announcement on June 6, a number of Tour players have been left frustrated with the PGA Tour after playing members were not informed on the American-based circuit's plans to work with the Saudis.
Player Advisory Council chairman Adam Scott claimed he was 'left in the dark', whilst Xander Schauffele called for more 'transparency' from those in charge at last week's Travelers Championship. At the event in Connecticut, a player meeting regarding the proposed merger was held.
A week on another was called, which included player directors McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Charley Hoffman, Peter Malnati and Webb Simpson. Details have now emerged from that further meeting, with the PGA Tour issuing a statement after claims they committed to give players approval on the final framework.
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Rory McIlroy was involved in the meeting (AP)The Tour confirmed it would use the input from its playing members as negotiations continue. A statement read: "Entering the framework agreement put an end to costly litigation. Management, with input from our player directors, has now begun a new phase of negotiations to determine if the tour can reach a definitive agreement that is in the best interests of our players, fans, sponsors, partners, and the game overall.
"If future negotiations lead to a proposed agreement, it would need approval by the tour's policy board, which includes player directors. In the meantime, we are all committed to the safeguards in the framework agreement that ensure the PGA Tour would lead and maintain control of this potential new commercial entity."
Jay Monahan is the man in charge of the PGA Tour (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)The framework was put together after a review into the PGA Tour's deal with PIF was called by the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Senator Richard Blumenthal will chair committee, and invited Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, LIV CEO Greg Norman and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan to appear.
"Today I am officially inviting the PGA Tour Commissioner, LIV Golf CEO, & Saudi Public Investment Fund Governor to testify in front of my Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations," the Senator tweeted. "We need to get to the bottom of the planned agreement between the PGA & Saudi-funded LIV Golf."
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