PGA Tour Merging with Saudi-backed LIV Tour Golf

[Bandit]

Didn't see this coming...

The PGA Tour and DP World Tour have agreed to merge with Saudi Arabian-backed circuit LIV Golf in a deal that ends the acrimonious split in the game.

The surprise announcement comes after a year of unprecedented disruption in the men's game following the launch of LIV.

It means pending litigation between the tours will be halted and they will move forward as part of the same enterprise.

"This is a stunning development," said the BBC's golf correspondent Iain Carter.

"The PGA and DP World Tours were sworn enemies of the LIV circuit, which had poached some of their best players. They viewed the breakaway tour as an existential threat and entered into bitter and expensive legal action."

Making the announcement on Tuesday Jay Monahan, commissioner of the PGA Tour, golf's leading circuit, said: "This is a historic day for the game."

An agreement has been signed that will combine the PGA Tour and LIV's commercial operations and rights into a new, yet to be named for-profit company.

The agreement includes the DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour.

The Saudis are buying up pretty much everything it seems.

Guess it goes to show you can be a brutal, theocratic dictatorship and get away with it by throwing money at western sports.

They'll get a World Cup and an Olympics this side of 2040.

 

[Legion]

I really don't see how the LIV golf tournament model can be combined with the other tours and how LIV contracted players with their paid up front deals can be integrated for starters.

I wonder what Rory McIlroy will have to say now?