The PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and LIV Golf, Saudi-backed rivals, announced on Tuesday a pivotal agreement to unite under a shared business framework. This move aims to harmonize golf’s calendar and operations, bringing together the three competing circuits into a single, overarching enterprise that governs players, tournaments, and commercial rights on a global scale.
The arrangement arrives as LIV Golf enters its sophomore season with renewed momentum, expanding into new settings such as a tournament hosted on a famed Cadiz course in Valderrama. Scheduled for late June into early July, this event marks the first LIV stop in Spain, signaling a broader European footprint as part of the evolving alliance.
Although the entity’s name remains to be disclosed, the collaboration signals a dramatic shift away from decades of rivalry and legal disputes between the circuits. The three organizations describe the deal as a historic step toward unifying the sport of golf around the world and aligning the interests of players, fans, and sponsors alike.
PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF announce a historic agreement to combine professional golf.
— PGATOUResp
The announcement closes a period of contention that followed LIV Golf’s 2022 emergence, financed by state wealth from Saudi Arabia. While many top players remained loyal to the established tours, others pursued the new platform, including well-known figures who previously split obligations between the US circuit and the Ryder Cup, such as a number of prominent veterans. The landscape has shifted as talent rails between projects eased under the new framework.
Despite ongoing debate over LIV’s funding and geopolitical concerns, the circuit successfully attracted some marquee names from the United States and abroad with substantial bids, including recent major champions who joined the circuit and contributed to its growing profile. The movement toward a cohesive structure reflects a broader push in professional golf to balance competition with sustainability and global reach.
“This is a moment when golf fans can anticipate a more unified schedule and a clearer path for players,” said a leading PGA Tour spokesperson in a formal release. “The transformative partnership recognizes the history of the game, combines the pro-competitive model with a modern approach, and seeks to deliver a product of the highest quality to millions of lifelong fans while expanding the sport’s appeal.”
The executive leadership will be shaped by the merger, with key roles established to steward the unified vision. One senior figure from the PGA Tour will chair the new board, while another will take the helm as the chief executive, guiding day-to-day decisions and strategic direction.
Officials emphasized that players who left the traditional circuits to join LIV would have opportunities to participate in the revamped structure. The parties stated that they would work in the coming months to finalize terms and publish specifics as soon as they are ready, with additional details to follow in due course.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the head of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, welcomed the agreement as a long-awaited step toward uniting the sport and expanding golf’s reach worldwide. He expressed confidence that the LIV model could propel the game forward while respecting its legacy and history. The leadership changes reflect a balance of influence across the merged organization, with plans to align governance with the new strategic goals. The public comments from Al-Rumayyan highlighted a commitment to growing the sport and developing new fans as part of a broader ecosystem that includes players, business partners, and philanthropic initiatives.
The parties indicated that further terms would be finalized in the months ahead, with a detailed road map released in due course. As golf moves toward a consolidated future, stakeholders on all sides recognize the opportunity to preserve tradition while embracing a more expansive, inclusive calendar that connects tournaments, players, and audiences across continents.