What LIV players want, don’t want from agreement (if any)

DORAL, Fla. – The looming deadline of Dec. 31 has created a sense of urgency in professional golf. While officials have denied any announcement of a deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund on New Year’s Eve, there is a possibility that the deadline could be extended if negotiations are progressing. However, the players at the LIV Golf team finale last week at Doral were keenly aware of what is at stake.

The framework agreement between the Tour and PIF, announced in June, opened the door for negotiations to create a new, for-profit entity that would involve the Tour, LIV Golf, and the DP World Tour. The specifics of this entity are yet to be seen, but it is clear that there are competing interests between maintaining the status quo and establishing PGA Tour Enterprises.

From the perspective of LIV Golf players, there is a sense of confidence, with Ian Poulter stating that LIV Golf will continue, as confirmed by PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. However, there is an underlying sentiment that many would prefer no agreement at all. Some even believe that the framework agreement was primarily intended to end the litigation between the Tour, LIV Golf, and PIF. The lawsuit had become expensive for the Tour, costing $50 million in legal fees, and posed a risk to PIF’s investments in the United States.

With little progress and no details from either side, skepticism is appropriate. One anonymous LIV Golf player commented that there have been no significant changes, and they don’t believe anything will happen.

If a definitive agreement does materialize, incorporating all three sides into a single entity led by PIF as a premier corporate sponsor, Al-Rumayyan as the chairman, and Jay Monahan as the CEO, the question becomes: what would it look like? While it’s difficult to say for certain, LIV Golf players have identified key starting points. Access to major championships is a priority, and players have suggested that carving out an exemption category for LIV Golf’s top performers could resolve this issue.

The complexity arises when considering how players who joined LIV Golf could be reintegrated into the Tour. The framework agreement states that both sides would work cooperatively to establish a fair process for players who wish to reapply for Tour and European circuit membership. However, few LIV players have an interest in returning to a full schedule on the PGA Tour. They propose playing a limited number of events on sponsor exemptions instead.

Questions also arise regarding fines, suspensions, and the status of returning players. Some players believe that returning LIV Golf players would not be welcomed or that the price of returning would be too high. Without a punitive response, Tour players may feel betrayed. Finding a civilized way to accommodate all parties is a significant challenge.

Another concern is the minimum event requirement imposed by the Tour. Players on the new circuit would need to play 29 events (including 14 on LIV) to maintain membership on both tours—an unrealistic demand. LIV players suggest a more flexible approach to allow players to pick and choose events based on sponsor invitations.

Combining three different products is another fundamental challenge. LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman implies that the Tour and LIV Golf products will remain separate, at least for now. Some players suggest allowing the Tour to have LIV Golf teams or entities and interchange players between them. Others propose a partially integrated entity that allows both tours to coexist and collaborate.

Despite these challenges, the general sentiment among players at Doral is that Dec. 31 will pass without any groundbreaking deal. Many believe this is the preferred outcome. However, some players still have hope and feel that golf at the highest level deserves to be together. They trust that there are individuals who can find a way to make it happen.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.