President-elect Donald Trump recently played golf with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan at Trump International Golf Club in Florida. The PGA Tour confirmed the outing, highlighting Trump's support for golf and the shared love for the game between him and Monahan.
The following day, Trump attended a UFC event with key figures from the Saudi investment group behind the rival LIV Golf tour, which has caused a significant divide in the golfing world. Monahan had previously played golf with a member of the Saudi group in Scotland.
In June 2023, the PGA Tour and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund announced an agreement for the fund to invest in a new venture by the PGA Tour. This deal has drawn scrutiny from the Justice Department, leading to ongoing negotiations despite an initial deadline passing.
The PGA Tour also secured a substantial investment from a sports consortium for PGA Tour Enterprises. However, tensions remain high in the golfing community, with the PGA Tour banning LIV players from its tournaments, including top players like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
Trump, who previously hosted LIV events at his golf courses, expressed optimism about a potential merger between the tours. He emphasized the need for unity and the inclusion of the best players in a single tour.
Despite Trump's history of conflicts with the PGA Tour, including losing a tournament to Mexico City due to sponsorship issues, his involvement in the current negotiations could be influential. Players like Rory McIlroy have expressed cautious optimism about Trump's role in facilitating a deal, particularly with the support of figures like Elon Musk.
As negotiations continue, challenges remain in reconciling players who stayed loyal to the PGA Tour and those who joined the LIV Golf league. The involvement of the Justice Department adds another layer of complexity to the discussions, with the outcome still uncertain.
