I found myself having to completely rewrite my column this month just before my deadline. The reason for this, a tweet from the PGA Tour announcing a new partnership with the LIV Tour.
There was no doubt it was the most shocking moment that we’ve experienced in golf over the past few years. The entire golfing world had no clue about this new business venture between two supposedly mortal enemies. Which, in the age of social media, is incredible.
I’ve always been of the opinion that there has to be two sides to the whole LIV versus other Tours. Those two sides are: Tours themselves and the players’ side.
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour took an extremely strong stance against the LIV Tour when it formed. They threatened any player wanting to join LIV with both severe fines and strict sanctions.
Most players, from what I’ve experienced, held no personal grudges to those who ‘defected’ to LIV. Obviously the financial benefits for those who joined LIV allowed them to change their financial futures for generations. But, everyone who I have spoken to agreed that those who went to LIV should stay on LIV. And that they shouldn’t be playing any of the other Tours.
Following the shocking announcement on 6 June, the initial reactions were all over the shop. Understandably so, perhaps.
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour have all of a sudden decided that the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund and LIV Golf are now something they can do business with. They are effectively starting a new company that will see all the world Tours join under one umbrella, which would be headed up by the PIF chairman.
Which begs the questions: Why have all the lawsuits over the past two years just to end up being all buddy-buddy? And why did the PGA Tour counter-sue LIV Golf under the argument that it is using golf as a form of ‘sportswashing’ to cover up previous human rights violations? It’s all so confusing to me.
The biggest issue I have is from a player’s perspective. How does a decision like this happen without any communication with the players?
Both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour pleaded to players that they should show loyalty to, as they put it, ‘our Tour’. The ‘our Tour’ perspective being that all the Tour’s executives work for the players. All the decisions are made for the betterment of the players. But most importantly, all decisions must have the stamp of approval from the players’ board. None of which happened in this merger.
I have some major concerns, even though the announcement has only just been made as I write this. I know that things move fast, but I wanted you to know my initial thinking.
I’m hoping that we as Tour members are given clarity, too. Why the sudden change of heart with regards to LIV Golf? Why weren’t any of the players consulted before a decision was made? How will the DP World Tour benefit from this? How will all the players who rejected LIV offers be feeling? Will all the LIV players be welcomed back with ‘open arms’?
There are so many uncertainties at the moment, and I’m sure this will be taken care of in the coming weeks. However, for some reason, I have a somewhat sick feeling in my stomach after watching the two biggest Tours on the planet do a complete 180 degrees, without anyone knowing.
Interesting times lie ahead.
– This column first appeared in the July 2023 issue of Compleat Golfer magazine.
