The past year has been tumultuous for professional golf, with the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and DP World Tour still yet to finalize an agreement to resolve ongoing disputes.
June 6 – Agreement Announced
A year ago, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a framework agreement. This deal aimed to end the conflicts between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and their LIV Golf rivals. Monahan described it as “an historic day for the PGA Tour and the game of golf,” emphasizing unity under one umbrella.
June 7 – McIlroy’s Reaction
Rory McIlroy, a vocal critic of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, expressed his shock at the announcement. He felt like a “sacrificial lamb,” having defended the PGA Tour only to see this unexpected partnership. Despite his feelings, McIlroy acknowledged that the agreement could benefit the game of golf.
June 13 – U.S. Senate Investigation
Following the announcement, the U.S. Senate launched an investigation into the PGA Tour’s plans with the Saudi fund. A subcommittee led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal called for evidence from both sides. PGA Tour director Jimmy Dunne and colleague Ron Price testified, while PIF representatives did not.
June 14 – Monahan Takes Leave
A week after the announcement and just before the 2023 U.S. Open, Jay Monahan took a health-related leave from his role, facing significant scrutiny over the partnership with PIF. He returned to his duties on July 14.
August 1 – Tiger Woods Joins Policy Board
As negotiations progressed, Tiger Woods was appointed to the PGA Tour’s policy board as a player representative, becoming the sixth player on the board. This move was part of Monahan’s promise to give players a say in the final decision.
October 19 – Norman’s Position
LIV CEO Greg Norman, initially uninvolved in the framework discussions, expressed optimism about LIV Golf’s future. He highlighted the strength and success of LIV’s players and brand, despite ongoing negotiations.
November 15 – McIlroy Resigns
Five months after his initial reaction, Rory McIlroy resigned from the PGA Tour policy board, citing that the situation was not what he had signed up for. He emphasized the need to resolve the ongoing disputes for the benefit of professional golf.
November 28 – Tiger Woods Speaks
At the Hero World Challenge, Tiger Woods discussed the complexity of the agreement, mentioning various aspects being considered for the future of professional golf, including potential mergers and team golf.
December 7 – Jon Rahm Joins LIV Golf
In a significant move, former world No. 1 Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf for a reported £450 million, adding a major player to the Saudi-backed series.
December 31 – Missed Deadline
Negotiations hit a setback as the initial framework agreement deadline was missed. This delay ensured that talks would continue into 2024.
January 11 – Keith Pelley Leaves DP World Tour
DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley announced he would leave his role in April to return to Canada. He expressed hope that progress would be made by the Masters in April.
January 31 – PGA Tour Partners with SSG
Instead of finalizing a deal with PIF, the PGA Tour partnered with U.S.-based investor Strategic Sports Group (SSG), securing £2.3 billion ($3.1 billion) for the newly-formed PGA Tour Enterprises.
March 18 – Meeting in the Bahamas
In March, PGA Tour policy board members and PIF representatives, including Monahan and Al-Rumayyan, met in the Bahamas to discuss the future of professional golf. Tiger Woods played a key role in these discussions.
May 9 – McIlroy’s Return Rejected
Rory McIlroy’s interest in returning to the policy board was rejected by his fellow players, including Tiger Woods and Patrick Cantlay.
May 18 – Dunne Resigns
PGA Tour director Jimmy Dunne resigned, citing a lack of meaningful progress in negotiations with the Saudi Arabian counterparts, delivering a significant blow to the ongoing talks.
Despite initial hopes, the merger between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and DP World Tour remains unresolved, with delays and disputes continuing to dominate the professional golf landscape.