Long before the launch of the LIV Golf League, there were discussions about a partnership or alliance with the DP World Tour, which would bring significant financial support to the European Tour through the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
Those talks ended when the DP World Tour formed a “strategic alliance” with the PGA Tour that included financial underwriting, a financial stake in European Tour production, a number of co-sanctioned events and even PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monaghan serves on the board of directors of the DP World Tour.
But as negotiations between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF have been ongoing for 18 months, and as the PGA Tour brings in other outside investment from Strategic Sports Group, there are persistent rumors that the DP World Tour may consider Separate transactions with PIF.
Such was the case on Thursday, when Bloomberg Negotiations are reportedly underway for a deal between the PIF and DP World Tour.
Bloomberg cited sources as saying the two sides could work together to allow LIV Golf players to enter or become members of the DP World Tour, with scheduling consultations and financial considerations, or as the Bloomberg report puts it, “significant financial impact.” “.
It's unclear how this relates to the PGA Tour. The tour is currently subsidizing DP World Tour prize money and guaranteeing it will increase year on year – something the PIF, with its vast resources, can easily do.
DP World Tour releases statement sports illustrated There was no direct reference to the report.
“We are still in discussions with the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Enterprises, SSG and PIF regarding the overall situation for men's global golf, but no agreement has been reached,” the statement read.
It's now nearly a year since the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF announced a “framework agreement” in June 2023 that would see all entities form an alliance with an end-of-year deadline to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, all tours are operating on different schedules, with LIV planning a fourth season in 2025, with 10 of 14 events already announced.
September, sports illustrated LIV Golf has reportedly made an offer to the DP World Tour that would see them pay a financial sum in exchange for removing fines for players such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, allowing them to freely participate in the DP World Tour events, when schedules allow.
DP World Tour declined the offer.
“They are hurting their event and their sponsors,” one source said. “These are obstacles that do more harm than good.”
At that time, DP World Tour stated and: “We met with them and listened to their suggestions but did not accept them as our view remains that the focus should continue to be on all stakeholders working together to arrive at an overall solution that benefits our sport.”
Rahm and Hatton continued to compete on the DP World Tour in the autumn, thereby fulfilling membership requirements that would make them eligible for the 2025 Ryder Cup as they appeal the sanction. Sergio Garcia has paid the fine and said he plans to rejoin the DP World Tour in 2025, although all players will again face possible sanctions for participating in conflict events.
this Bloomberg Reports indicate that the two sides are in talks again, while discussions on the PIF-PGA Tour Enterprises deal continue.
At the Tour Championship in August, Rory McIlroy hinted that other scenarios could arise if negotiations continue to drag on.
“I think anybody who cares about golf is going to be frustrated,” McIlroy said. “I think anybody who cares about the PGA Tour is frustrated because … we’re not providing the absolute best product that we can because — I think these guys left and that was their choice and so on.
“I just think this has been going on long enough. I think everyone is trying to find a solution. It's just a hard solution to get.
“I look back on it and even though I was on the wrong side of it, like I was with Bryson (DeChambeau) at the U.S. Open, you can only go through that four times a year at most. I think that should happen every year in golf. things, not just four times.”
Asked about something that doesn't happen soon, McIlroy said: “I think if it doesn't happen soon, then honestly I think the PIF and the Saudis are going to have to look at other options, right? I think This could be – I would say, if there's anything unfinished, this is the next step in this.”
