Many questions remain unanswered
The peace pact of the disputed golf tours
The previously competing golf tours have settled their dispute and agreed to work together. photo
© Seth Little/AP/dpa
The golf world was divided. Now there is an agreement. The PGA and Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Tour are collaborating. Many players are appalled. Many questions remain unanswered.
The completely unexpected peace pact between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour with the previously enemy LIV Tour, financed from Saudi Arabia, is intended to reunite the golf world.
But the future cooperation, secretly negotiated by the officials, is met with horror and incomprehension by many PGA professionals. Many important questions need to be clarified.
What happened?
On Tuesday, the parties announced in a joint press release that they had reached a “groundbreaking agreement to unify golf” and that they would work together in the future. Accordingly, the Saudi Arabian state fund PIF (Public Investment Fund), which was previously involved in the LIV Tour, is now also a shareholder in a new joint organization. PGA Tour President Jay Monahan said: “After two years of turmoil and confusion, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love. This will usher in a new era in global golf – for the better.”
Has the dispute finally been settled and can LIV golfers play on the other two tours again?
With the agreement, all pending legal disputes between the parties involved are ended by mutual consent. In addition, after the 2023 season, opportunities should be created for players who have been suspended from the LIV Tour to be able to return to the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour. However, it is still completely unclear what this path might look like in concrete terms. It is also not yet clear whether all players will then be able to take part in the Ryder Cup again.
Why Are Many PGA Tour Players Upset About the Deal?
Many of the players only found out about the agreement from social media. They were not involved in the decision-making process. PGA boss Monahan had to be insulted as a hypocrite in a meeting with players on the sidelines of the Canadian Open in Toronto, as reported by US media, citing participants. Monahan had clearly positioned himself against the LIV Tour in the past. “I feel betrayed and (…) will not be able to trust anyone on the corporate side of the PGA for a very long time,” tweeted US professional Wesley Bryan. Two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa reacts with irony: “I love finding morning news on Twitter.”
What do golf superstars Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy say?
Nothing yet. However, Woods and McIlroy were the PGA Tour’s most prominent advocates in the dispute with the LIV Tour.
How do the LIV golfers feel about the new pact?
Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson was one of the first players to move onto the multi-million dollar LIV Tour. He was criticized more than probably any other golfer for it. “Great day today,” says the US star via Twitter. LIV Managing Director Greg Norman called it “a great day in global golf for players and fans alike”.
Why is the LIV Tour so criticized?
The LIV tournaments have been criticized since their debut in June 2022 because of the millions invested from Saudi Arabia. The background is that the country, which has been criticized for human rights violations, is trying to improve its image with lucrative sporting events. Numerous top golfers followed the call of money and switched to the competing series – including the German Martin Kaymer.