Trump Was Right…PGA Tour Merging with Saudi-Backed LIV – Watch
In a move that has been met with mixed reactions, the PGA Tour has agreed to merge with Saudi-backed LIV Golf. The merger, which is expected to close in the next few months, will create a new, unified golf tour that will feature the best players in the world. Specifics of the merger have yet to be disclosed, but the deal will end all pending litigation between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
“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. “This transformational partnership recognizes the immeasurable strength of the PGA TOUR’s history, legacy and pro-competitive model and combines with it the DP World Tour and LIV – including the team golf concept – to create an organization that will benefit golf’s players, commercial and charitable partners and fans.”
The PGA Tour has had dominance for decades but was challenged in June 2021 after retired golfer Greg Norman, with funding from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), hosted LIV’s first tournament. The PGA tour initially dismissed LIV and id not allow any golfer who participated in LIV to continue in the PGA tour.
But LIV slowly began getting some of the biggest stars in golf to join their league. The PIF gave CEO Greg Norman a reserve of $2 billion that proved to be enough to pick off stars like Phil Mickelson ($200 million), Dustin Johnson ($100 million), and Bryson DeChambeau ($100 million).
With the merger, all lawsuits have been ended, and the only remaining threat is a DOJ antitrust investigation into the PGA, which will be complicated by the merger. The PGA Tour commissioner said the deal will push golf into the future and give fans the best experience.
“Going forward, fans can be confident that we will, collectively, deliver on the promise we’ve always made – to promote competition of the best in professional golf and that we are committed to securing and driving the game’s future,” Monahan said.
🚨LOOKING BACK — Donald Trump predicted the LIV – PGA TOUR merger in 2022. 🤣👀 pic.twitter.com/RQnATH6W8j
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 6, 2023
