LIV Golf Rumors: PGA Tour deal becomes reality in 6 months, according to insider, as Greg Norman searches for replacement

Who can forget June 6, 2023? After a year of tug-of-war and mutual litigation, supported by the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund had finally shaken hands. It was seen as a unison of the game divided by the presence of LIV Golf. But who would have thought that a deal would last more than two years?

Even after getting on the same page, the PGA Tour and PIF still have to complete the $3 billion merger. Now LIV Golf has started looking for yet another CEO. Surprisingly, Greg Norman will reportedly be replaced in 2025 but will continue to hold a senior position. Given the uncertainty surrounding the merger, DP World’s [the European League’s sponsor] Daniel Van Otterdijk, the group’s chief communications officer, has shared why the merger could be completed in the coming months.

In an interview with Gulf News, Otterdijk took a swipe at the golf media, stating that if you put aside the nonsense and politics of the media, then the PGA Tour, PIF, which supports LIV Golf, and the DP World Tour “Are all creatures who love golf – there is no doubt about that.” He added that PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan is one of the biggest fans of golf.

Even though the PGA Tour and LIV Golf initially started off on the wrong foot, “Everyone has the right intention” said the insider, and they would inevitably come together to resolve the issue. To set a time frame, Otterdijk said: “We are confident that within the next six months they will create a structure that is much better suited to world golf than what we currently have. But of course there are also legacy issues that need to be resolved.”

What legacy problem is the head of the DP World Tour talking about? Well, the point is that LIV Golf certainly doesn’t have one, but the PGA Tour has a decades-long tradition that has featured many golfers such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and Sam Sneads, to name a few. While its merger with PIF is on hold, the PGA Tour has moved forward with Strategic Sports Group for $3 billion.

If Otterdijk’s statement is to be believed, the PGA Tour would have received an additional $3 billion in money to improve the league and golf. And Otterdijk’s prediction could be true as Jay Monahan and Yasir Al Rumayyan shared some friendly moments at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in early October. However, two hurdles could stand in the way of the merger.

Rory McIlroy describes why the merger is being delayed

Sure, there could be a thousand other reasons for the PGA Tour and PIF not completing the merger, but according to Rory McIlroy, the biggest hurdle is the Department of Justice and the differing opinions of players. Ahead of the BMW Championship in Wentworth, McIlroy said: “Department of Justice. Maybe different interests on the part of the players.”

He further explained that half of the golfers on LIV Golf and PGA Tour want this while the other half are against it. But the Northern Irishman reiterated that there would have to be compromises on both sides if a merger was to become a reality. If all golfers agreed and the DOJ gave the green light, the merger would be completed shortly.

However, unlike Otterdijk, McIlroy assumed that the merger would be completed around 2026, as many things still needed to be worked on. In the end, golf enthusiasts probably just want the merger to be completed, whether in six months or another year.