The PGA Tour is set to merge with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf organisation in order to form a new company in a groundbreaking deal for the future of professional golf. The move, which will put a stop to all pending litigation, is set to see the two competitors join forces with the aim of progressing forward as a larger golfing enterprise.
The two entities have signed an agreement that would combine their commercial businesses and rights into a new for-profit company, which is yet to be named. The news was officially announced via a joint release on Tuesday, with the merger set to be marked by a ‘capital investment’ from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which has owned LIV Golf since its inception in 2021.
“The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) today announced a landmark agreement to unify the game of golf, on a global basis,” the statement reads.
“The parties have signed an agreement that combines PIF’s golf-related commercial businesses and rights (including LIV Golf) with the commercial businesses and rights of the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour into a new, collectively owned, for-profit entity to ensure that all stakeholders benefit from a model that delivers maximum excitement and competition among the game’s best players.
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“In addition, PIF will make a capital investment into the new entity to facilitate its growth and success. The new entity (name TBD) will implement a plan to grow these combined commercial businesses, drive greater fan engagement and accelerate growth initiatives already underway.
“With LIV Golf in the midst of its second, groundbreaking season, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF will work together to best feature and grow team golf going forward.”
The introduction of LIV Golf as a breakaway league in 2021 sparked plenty of controversy as a result of its Saudi backing and the huge fees paid to tempt the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter to ditch the PGA Tour in order to join their ranks. A long and drawn-out legal battle involving the two entities then followed but the new merger will put an end to all pending litigation and see them join forces in a move that will unify professional golf once more.
Rory McIlroy was among the highest-profile PGA Tour players who chose to remain loyal to the organisation and has regularly criticised LIV Golf since it was founded two years ago, even going as far as to say last July that the Saudi-backed series did not belong in the sport.
“There’s no room in the golf world for LIV Golf,” the four-time major champion told CBS. “I don’t agree with what LIV is doing. If LIV went away tomorrow I’d be super happy.”
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