'Hurdles' in PGA-LIV deal - but Trump 'bolstering' talks

The PGA Tour says "some hurdles remain" in the protracted negotiations with LIV Golf to "reunify" the sport - although Donald Trump's intervention has "significantly bolstered" the peace talks.

Talks have been ongoing since June 2023 when the PGA Tour and DP World Tour agreed a shock merger with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which funds LIV.

The two sides met at the White House last month following the intervention of US President Trump, who is a keen golfer with business interests in the sport.

But, speaking before this week's The Players Championship, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan could not provide an answer about when a deal might be struck.

"We're doing everything we can to bring the two sides together," Monahan said.

"That said, we will not do so in a way that diminishes the strength of our platform or the very real momentum we have with our fans and partners."

The PGA Tour, represented by Monahan, player director Adam Scott and 15-time major winner Tiger Woods, held "constructive" talks with LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and President Trump on 21 February.

Monahan said the involvement of President Trump - who owns several golf resorts around the world - had made a truce "very real".

However, no deadline has been set for the saga to be resolved, he said.

"While we have removed some hurdles, but some remain," Monahan added.

"But like our fans, we still share the same sense of urgency to get to a resolution.

"Our team is fully committed to reunification."

Since the controversial launch of LIV Golf in 2022, there have been divisions in men's professional golf which have led to the world's best players rarely being able to compete in the same field.

LIV, which has reportedly been backed by almost £5bn (£3.8bn), external of Saudi money, signed a number of high-profile players including Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Brooks Koepka.

The PGA Tour responded by banning LIV stars from its events.

The stance leaves the four majors - The Masters, The PGA Championship, The Open Championship and the US Open – as the only individual strokeplay events where PGA and LIV players come together.

Frustration is continuing to grow among many fans that the opportunities for leading stars to battle it out in the same field are still restricted by the standoff.

Asked if players shared that feeling, Monahan said: "Our players are excited by the strength of the tour, their involvement in the leadership and the evolution were in the midst of.

"They're competing at The Players Championship this week – all the players are focused on is winning this great championship.

"The players understand we have to control the things we can control.

"I sense our players are energised by the opportunities they have on the PGA Tour."