The PGA Tour has agreed to merge with rival LIV Golf in a move that has shocked the sporting world.
LIV golfers have been heavily criticised for leaving the PGA Tour in order to join the new breakaway league, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The creation of LIV Golf sparked a bitter feud with the PGA and led to an antitrust lawsuit.
However, that litigation has now ended, with LIV and the PGA combining to form a new, as-yet-unnamed company. PGA commissioner Jay Monahan has been highly-critical of the golf league but will now work alongside his former rivals, admitting that the deal would also see the team aspect of LIV Golf adopted as part of the merger.
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"After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love,” Monahan said. "This transformational partnership recognizes the immeasurable strength of the PGA TOUR’s history, legacy and pro-competitive model and combines with it the DP World Tour and LIV – including the team golf concept – to create an organization that will benefit golf’s players, commercial and charitable partners and fans.
"Going forward, fans can be confident that we will, collectively, deliver on the promise we’ve always made – to promote competition of the best in professional golf and that we are committed to securing and driving the game’s future."
The news comes just over a month after the likes of Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were forced to resign from the DP World Tour and banned from competing in the Ryder Cup due to their involvement with LIV Golf. It remains to be seen whether they will still be ineligible for the Ryder Cup, following the merger.
Former US president Donald Trump, whose courses have hosted several LIV events, tweeted: "Great news from LIV Golf. A big beautiful and glamorous deal for the wonderful world of golf. Congrats to all!!!".
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