Whispers are rising that the PGA Tour and PIF are on the point of placing a deal that may lastly merge the best powers in males’s golf, almost two years after a Framework Settlement was introduced.
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Key powerbrokers from each side of the negotiation met with US President Donald Trump on the White Home on Friday (AEDT) — the second time such a gathering has occurred this month.
The Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard reported {that a} “deal in precept”, that may deliver the PGA Tour and PIF-funded LIV Golf underneath the identical umbrella, may have been agreed upon by the assembly’s conclusion.
That deal hasn’t materialised, however the PGA Tour mentioned in an announcement that talks in regards to the “reunification of golf” had been initiated.
“We’re dedicated to transferring as shortly as potential and can share extra particulars as acceptable,” the assertion learn.
“We share a ardour for the sport and the significance of reunification. Most significantly, all of us need one of the best gamers on the earth taking part in collectively extra typically and are dedicated to doing all we will to ship that final result for our followers.”
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Earlier, when talking a couple of deal being struck, Hoggard warned that loads of work would have to be completed.
“Attorneys on each side would wish to take a tough take a look at the small print,” he mentioned.
“There’s different voices concerned, the DP World Tour would even have a say and, in the end, the Coverage Board on the PGA Tour … they usually’re not scheduled to fulfill once more till Bay Hill (March 6-9).”
That Bay Hill assembly comes one week earlier than golf’s unofficial ‘fifth main’, The Gamers Championship.
The timing is notable as The Gamers Championship is the largest occasion run by the PGA Tour, and takes place at TPC Sawgrass, on the doorstep of its Ponte Vedra Headquarters.
Hoggard mentioned {that a} LIV Golf participant instructed him that the PGA Tour is open to permitting gamers from the Saudi-backed tour to function on this yr’s version, beginning March 13.
Whether or not or not LIV Golf involvement on the Gamers would come because of an official deal, or just as a present of excellent religion by the PGA Tour within the negotiations, is unclear.
Regardless, it factors to a major thawing of tensions, and clear progress in transferring in direction of the last word purpose of reunification.
All eyes on Friday remained on the White Home, the place Trump was assembly with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, in addition to Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, who’re a part of a PGA Tour subcommittee accountable for negotiating the deal.
The earlier assembly with Trump didn’t contain Woods, who was mourning the dying of his mom, or Al-Rumayyan.
As such, Hoggard described the assembly as “clearly an escalation in making an attempt to reunify the sport and convey the skilled sport underneath one umbrella.”
“It’s a vital subsequent step in advancing the negotiations,” he mentioned.
The assembly additionally timed with Trump honouring Nationwide Black Historical past Month alongside Woods.
Whereas talking for reporters, Trump talked about “attention-grabbing discussions” have been held, whereas additionally calling out Scott who was to the aspect of the stage.
“We’ve got Adam Scott right here additionally. Winner of the Masters. One of many biggest golfers on the earth,” Trump mentioned.
“I’ve all the time tried to swing identical to Adam. It by no means labored out that manner.”
Trump added that he sees Scott as “kind of” American.
“Adam, although he doesn’t fairly come from our nation, he kind of does, proper? He’s right here quite a bit,” he mentioned.
“He comes from one other good place like Australia they usually’ve been very, superb for us.”