Golf forges peace in a merger deal between PGA Tour, LIV and European circuit

The deal that surprised most players, to live Golf was entering its second season stronger than ever, opening up to new scenarios such as the tournament on the Cadiz course. valderrama, It is between 30 June and 2 July, which will be the first date of the Saudi tour in Spain.

The new entity, whose name is not yet known, is ending the long-standing big differences and legal wars. PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV, both between entities and between players changing the circuit. Three circuits described the deal as “a historic deal to unify the game of golf around the world.”

The announcement ends a war that has divided the golf world following the creation of LIV golf in 2022, financed by public funds from Saudi Arabia. Most of the players stayed true to the traditional circuits between them. jon wombScottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy or Jordan Spieth. But some bet on the break, popular figures Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia or Dustin Johnson, That they had to give up their cards in the USA circuit, and also their participation in the Ryder Cup, where teams from the USA and Europe face each other every two years.

Despite numerous criticisms of the Saudi circuit since its inception, especially for the country’s failure to respect human rights, the LIV has attracted some of the biggest names on the US circuit with multi-million-dollar bids, including the recent two Grand Slam winners: the recent PGA winner, brooks koepka or Australian Cameron Smith. winner of the last British Open.

“They were going their separate ways, we were going ours, and after a lot of introspection you realize that all this tension in the game is not good at all. After two years of interruptions and distractions, this is a historic day,” he said. . Jay Monahancommissioner of the PGA Tour in a press release.

“This transformative partnership recognizes and combines the immeasurable power of the PGA Tour’s history, legacy and pro-competitive model. DP World Tour and LIV“To incorporate the concept of team golf to create an organization that will benefit golfers, business and philanthropists, members and fans.” Monahan.

Work and rights sharing

The agreement envisages the establishment of a ‘joint venture’ to manage the business and the commercial rights of the circuit arising from the merger of the three. While the percentage of shareholders who will control each circuit is unknown, the largest shareholder is certain to be the largest shareholder. PIFsovereign wealth fund Saudi Arabia.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, The manager of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund was also happy with a deal that ended the open war between the circuits. “We are committed to uniting, promoting and growing golf worldwide by delivering the highest quality product to millions of lifetime fans as we develop new fans. There is no doubt that the LIV model is positively transformative for golf. We believe there are opportunities for this sport to thrive while preserving its tradition and history,” he said. Al-RumayyanMonahan will assume the chairmanship of the new board of directors, which will be formed from the merger, while Monahan will assume the executive directorship.

Al-Rumayyan It has made it clear that players who left both the American and European circuits to participate in IV will be able to return. “All parties will work in the coming months to finalize the terms of the agreement, details of which will be announced in due course,” they said.