As the 2025 PGA Tour season got underway a few short weeks ago, many questions remain around the status of the PGA, LIV merger. Most importantly, players and fans want to know if this will be the year that the professional golf world comes together once again.
Towards the end of the 2024 season, insiders involved in meetings between the two parties walked away feeling less optimistic about the possibility of reaching a deal.[1] Reports surrounding the meeting seemed to suggest that members of the PGA were arguing over millions of dollars and demanding financial penalties for those players who jumped to LIV. [2] While the PGA of America did allow LIV players to play in their majors, there is still no clear answer as to what the PGA Tour is going to do.
Despite this uncertainty, those involved in the talks believe that a deal will get done…eventually. As with any big merger, there is much to be figured out such as competing tournament schedules, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, social media attention, and money for the players.[3] On top of that, one of the main issues holding up the deal is the resentment that PGA players have towards LIV players. According to Golf Digest senior writer Joe Beall, the difficulty is figuring out how to “integrate LIV players back and what LIV’s future will look like as a unified game.”[4]
So, will 2025 be the year that the deal finally gets done? American Professional Golfer Gary McCord and American Golf Analyst and Instructor Peter Kostis are split on whether this is will be the year. On their podcast “Kostis & McCord: Off Their Rockers”, the two discussed their views on the current status of professional golf as the season gets underway.[5] Kostis believes that there will be a resolution to the PGA, LIV Golf saga this year, but is not sure what the final outcome will look like.[6] In order for a deal to get worked out in 2025, Kostis believes that the PGA will have to learn how to share the stage. “They (PGA) are going to have to learn to exist in an ecosystem that includes more worldwide golf whether that’s LIV or the DP World Tour or whatever the case may be.”[7] On the other hand, Kosti’s co-host believes that the two tours will not strike a deal in 2025 and LIV’s rumored interest in the DP World Tour will play a role.[8] McCord explained that from what they are hearing, the stage is set for LIV to purchase the DP World Tour. The players already get World Golf Rankings, which means they can go play in the majors and do what they want to do.[9]
One of LIV Golfs most outspoken critics, Rory McIlroy, spoke about the issue at last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and believes, “from an investment standpoint, that the deal should and will be done.” However, McIlroy does not think the deal will change the landscape of the sport for years to come. He explained that media rights partners are locked in until 2030 and that these sponsors paid for a certain product.[10] In addition to the paid for product, players don’t want to see their prize funds decrease, which is going to keep the Tour away from renegotiating media rights.[11] While a merger between the two leagues is not out of the realm of possibilities, McIlroy says there’s a lot that could happen.[12]
Will the possibility of having two tours be a bad thing for the game of golf? McCord does not believe so. In fact, he believes it might be better for the game. Having two distinct entities that hate each other could lead to an increase in T.V. ratings when the two tours faceoff head-to-head.[13]
As we enter the new season of professional golf, it remains to be seen if this is the year that a deal finally gets done!
[1] https://www.foxsports.com.au/golf/pga-golf-2024-looming-merger-between-pga-and-liv-golf-after-civil-war-state-of-play-will-the-tours-merge-latest-news/news-
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] https://golf.com/news/will-pga-tour-liv-golf-battle-end-2025/
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] https://www.the-express.com/sport/golf/162075/rory-mcilroy-pga-tour-liv-golf-merger
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
[13] Id.
Image Credit: https://www.azfamily.com/2023/06/06/pga-tour-members-furious-about-liv-pga-merger/
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