Ever since LIV Golf caused division in professional golf, most fans have just wanted to see the best of the best battling it out on the same tour week after week again.
There were times where a deal seemed close or even imminent, but those days feel far, far away. After the latest developments on Thursday, they seem like a mere fantasy.
The PGA Tour has rejected a $1.5 billion investment offer from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in exchange for some leniency for the LIV Tour to continue operating. As a part of the proposal, PIF governor Yasir al-Rumayyan would have become co-chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises.
The PGA Tour didn’t think either demand was realistic or acceptable, according to Ewan Murray of The Guardian.
“The PGA Tour replied to the PIF’s demands on Monday, with neither deemed acceptable,” Murray wrote. “Those with detailed knowledge of the situation stress reunification of golf is the PGA Tour’s core aim, a matter that is hardly assisted by LIV continuing in its present form. There would also be understandable unease within the PGA Tour should Rumayyan, whose organization has bankrolled LIV, be afforded such a prominent position as the breakaway tour continues on its own path.”
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One thing that has become clear in recent months is a shift in the leverage from both sides. Recent comments from Rory McIlroy as well as PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan suggest that the PGA Tour no longer feels that it needs a merger and that the tour is thriving on its own.
On the other side, LIV Golf seems to be scrambling just a little bit as its momentum has stalled this season. Recently, Brooks Koepka admitted that the Saudi-backed tour is “behind” where he thinks it should be.
Now, this latest development shows a hint of desperation from the PIF despite their unwillingness to budge on allowing LIV to continue operating.
Golf fans will get a glimpse of some of the biggest stars of LIV Golf competing against the best of the best from the PGA Tour at The Masters before the two groups go their separate ways once again.
With the PGA Tour standing firm and puffing its chest out a bit, it appears there is no end in sight bringing the golf world together again.
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