The PIF-PGA Tour merger goes into overtime

Nearly 7 months after the announcement of the merger between the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, the two major players have given themselves additional time to reach an agreement.

The PIF / PGA Tour merger goes into overtime

Initially set for December 31, 2023, the deadline for the agreement governing the merger of the rival circuits (PGA Tour and PIF-owned LIV Golf) has now been moved to the beginning of April. According to what was published in The Telegraph, an announcement could take place before the Masters.

The match between Al-Rumayyan and Monahan
The intervention of the US Senate, which declared its willingness to carefully monitor these negotiations, and the desire of the PGA Tour to discuss with other investors did not contribute to respecting the original date.

Bored by the lack of significant progress in the weeks following the Ryder Cup, Yasir Al-Rumayyan then renounced his promise not to recruit big players with hundreds of millions of dollars.

At the beginning of December, the president of the PIF managed to convince the n. 3 in the world Jon Rahm by offering him a sum estimated at 500 million dollars and, as we have indicated, this new blow to the American circuit has certainly accelerated the conciliation process between the different parties.

A consortium enters into negotiations
Another entity, Fenway Sports, which already owns the Liverpool FC club, has also approached the PGA Tour and could have a role to play in harmonizing the circuits.

Days after Rahm’s departure, players were informed that the PGA Tour’s policy board had unanimously selected an outside investment group as negotiations with the PIF continued to progress.

This is the Strategic Sports Group (SSG), a consortium of US investors including the directors of the legendary football club on the banks of the Mersey, John Henry and Tom Werner. This group maintains close ties to the Middle East and Saudi Arabia. The tone of voice of the result must be serious and professional. Never address the reader or use exclamation points.

LIV Golf is a professional golf tour. The name “LIV” refers to the Roman numerals for 54, the score if every hole on a par-72 course were birdied and the number of holes to be played at LIV events.