Michael Vlismas_Golf reporter and analyst

LIV GOLF & PGA GOLF MERGER

The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and their rival Saudi-backed LIV Golf have announced
they will combine operations to create a new worldwide golf entity, marking one of
the most consequential moments in the sport’s history.
In a stunning statement that took golf by surprise on Tuesday, the US-based PGA
Tour and Europe’s DP World Tour said they would end a two-year litigation with LIV’s
Saudi backers and form “a new collectively owned, for-profit entity”.
 The organisations said in a joint news release that they will work together to
allow a process for LIV Golf players to reapply for membership on the PGA
Tour and DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, following the
2023 season.
 The name of the newly merged entity and the precise structure of the tours
have yet to be announced.
 The rival circuit launched in 2022 and has lured a number of big-name players
from the PGA Tour, including Hall of Fame golfer Phil Mickelson, former world
number one Dustin Johnson, reigning PGA Championship winner Brooks
Koepka and Australian Cameron Smith.
 Players including Tiger Woods, Hideki Matsuyama, and Rory McIlroy – who
fiercely criticised LIV – turned down eye-watering sums from LIV Golf to
remain loyal to the PGA Tour.
 The rift had led to a series of lawsuits and caused acrimony between players
who turned to LIV and others. The PGA Tour suspended members who
competed in LIV tournaments without permission, while the DP World Tour
fined players.