PGA Tour and LIV Golf join forces in stunning end to golf’s civil war
The PGA Tour has shocked the golfing world by joining forces with LIV Golf and the DP World Tour to create a new joint entity.
All pending litigation between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed breakaway league LIV Golf has been ended in a stunning turn of events.
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Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund [PIF] will now team up with the PGA Tour as part of a new, yet-to-be-named enterprise, which will also include the DP World Tour.
"After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love," PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said.
"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."
Keith Pelley, chief executive of the DP World Tour, said “This is a momentous day. We are delighted to be able to not only reignite our relationship with PIF, but also to have the opportunity to build on our current Strategic Alliance partnership with the PGA TOUR.
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"Together we will be stronger than ever and well positioned to continue to bring the game to all corners of the globe. To partner in this new entity and influence the growth of the game for all our DP World Tour members is energizing and exciting.”
The PGA Tour suspended all players who defected to LIV, which was controversially launched in 2022.
An anti-trust lawsuit was due to be heard in 2024, while the DP World Tour - the leading European tour - recently won a legal battle against LIV rebels to uphold fines and suspensions.
Now, the warring parties have agreed to establish a 'fair and objective' route back to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf for players who defected.
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This opens the door for players such as Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith to return to the PGA Tour.
Meanwhile, Team Europe veterans Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter could now be back in the fold for this summer's Ryder Cup.
Bridges were burned between players who found themselves on opposing sides, including the likes of Rory McIlroy and Mickelson, who have been locked in their own public battle.
Until Tuesday, golf's civil war looked set to rumble on for months, but this announcement signals a remarkable end to animosity between the conflicting tours.
PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan said: “Today is a very exciting day for this special game and the people it touches around the world.
“We are proud to partner with the PGA TOUR to leverage PIF’s unparalleled success and track record of unlocking value and bringing innovation and global best practices to business and sectors worldwide. We are committed to unifying, promoting and growing the game of golf around the world and offering the highest-quality product to the many millions of long-time fans globally, while cultivating new fans.
“There is no question that the LIV model has been positively transformative for golf. We believe there are opportunities for the game to evolve while also maintaining its storied history and tradition. This partnership represents the best opportunity to extend and increase the impact of golf for all. We look forward to collaborating with Jay and Keith to bring the best version of the game to communities around the world.”