It has been over 15 months since the announcement that the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) behind LIV Golf had opened negotiations on how the men’s elite game can come back together.
Since then, progress has been slow, althought ahead of August’s Tour Championship, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan offered reassurances that, although talks are “complex,” “conversations continue, and they’re productive.”
Last week, there was further optimism that a breakthrough was getting closer when it was reported that Tiger Woods was among representatives from the PGA Tour attending meetings in New York with their counterparts from the PIF.
Before the Irish Open, another influential PGA Tour player, Rory McIlroy, confirmed the meetings had taken place, but details have otherwise been scant.
However, per Bloomberg, “financial details inched closer” at the meetings according to sources, although there are some significant sticking points, including how players who had signed lucrative contracts with LIV Golf could be reintegrated onto the PGA Tour, where they are currently suspended.
Jay Monahan provided an update on the discussions before the Tour Championship
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Bloomberg also states that, in fact, no players attended the meetings. Meanwhile, it indicates that Jon Rahm’s deal, which is reportedly worth around $300 million, is proving particularly problematic for some PGA Tour players.
The report states the players would like the Spaniard and other LIV golfers to repay the money they have made since joining the circuit, while other proposals include paying fines to play in events, making donations to charity, or agreeing to forfeit any future career winnings on the PGA Tour.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, that appears to be a non-starter for LIV golfers, with the report adding: “Rahm and other LIV Golf players have refused to agree any terms that would penalize them for taking a risk and leaving the PGA Tour.”
One of the ideas for a reunited men’s game has been a world tour, with McIlroy describing it as a “dream scenario” at the beginning of the year. For a time, that idea appeared to gain some traction, with LIV golfer Joaquin Niemann later siding with McIlroy, saying: “I agree with Rory that big national championships like…
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