LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger ‘close to falling apart’ as fresh civil war looms

The PGA Tour is in talks with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, but the Middle Eastern country now faces competition from American companies.

There is considerable skepticism surrounding the proposed framework agreement between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

On June 6, the PGA Tour shocked the golf world by reaching an agreement with PIF, ending a 12-month feud with rival LIV Golf.
As part of the deal, both tours were created under one umbrella called “NewCo” along with DP World Tour.

In the months following the tournament, he and his new Saudi ally held talks, but talks appear to have broken down as the Dec. 31 deadline approaches.
A deal between the PGA Tour and PIF is “likely to fall apart” due to increased interest from elsewhere, according to Fire Pit Collective’s Alan Shipnuk.
In addition, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), owner of Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox, launched a competing bid to partner with the tournament’s new commercial organization. FSG have been contacted by Mirror Sport for comment.

Any failure and the Tour choosing to go in a different direction from its Saudi rivals is expected to lead to another battle between the PGA Tour and its LIV rivals.
FSG is no stranger to the world of golf, having invested in Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ groundbreaking TGL golf tournament earlier this year.

The American group acquired Boston Common, one of the league’s six teams, and announced four players on Thursday, including TGL founder and golf critic LIV McIlroy.
In addition to the four-time winner, Boston has three PGA Tour stars on its roster: Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott and Tyrrell Hutton.

FSG owner John Henry said of McIlroy and his teammates: “These four great golfers have achieved a tremendous honor as individuals.
As a group, they exude an undeniable originality that inspires not only respect but deep awe, especially among their competitors.

“Rory, Tyrrell, Keegan and Adam are key to our team’s potential to succeed in this innovative venture and we are grateful to each of them for being on this journey with us.
FSG’s as-yet-unknown bid to join the PGA Tour has been rejected by a rival American investor in a leading golf chain.

Last month, it was confirmed that Endeavor, the entertainment company that owns the UFC and WWE, had applied for a partnership with the PGA Tour but was turned down.
Endeavor president Mark Shapiro said their offer was rejected and that there were “many attractive offers” for the tournament.

“We (the PGA Tour) have asked for $25 million a year in services and if they agree to that, we’re willing to invest in a handful,” he told Sportico.
“But we understand.
We’ve had a lot of applicants, a lot of bidders, a lot of attractive offers that we’ve turned down. So we’re going to continue our long-standing partnership as it is now.
Let’s grow it even more in the future.”