New details on the proposed merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf have emerged, with a path set to be laid out for LIV players to return to their former tours.
Professional golf was rocked on June 6, after it was revealed that the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) had sign an agreement to bring the sport's three leading circuits into one entity, named 'NewCo'. The agreement has brought to an end the bitter 12-month feud between the tours and LIV Golf.
Following the announcement it remained unclear as to what the agreement meant for the sport, but three weeks on further details of the proposal have since been emerged. A framework agreement sent to the US Senate as part of their investigation has been posted online and provides more information on how golf might look.
From returning LIV Golf players, to stance of the Official World Golf Rankings, here is a breakdown on what we know so far.
PGA Tour return for LIV players
The framework agreement was put together at the request of Senator Richard Blumenthal, with a hearing on the merger put in place by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. One key element of the framework is a route back to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour for LIV players.
After making their move to the breakaway circuit, players were issued suspensions and sanctions from both tours. The six-page document outlines they will work in 'good faith to establish a fair and objective process for any players who desire to re-apply for membership'.
Who is in charge?
The three circuits will co-exist under the NewCo entity, with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan taking on the role of CEO. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of PIF, will also take on a senior role, with the Saudi national being appointed chairman. Monahan will be the man heading the joint entity's Board of Directors, with Al-Rumayyan also receiving a spot on the board.
This will hand Monahan the control of NewCo operations. As a result, the PGA Tour commissioner and the board will conduct an 'empirical data-driven evaluation' into LIV Golf to determine the future of the breakaway league.
Amid the investigation from the Senate, the PGA Tour have confirmed they will testify after being called upon. However it remains unknown as to whether Monahan will make an appearance, after the commissioner was forced to temporarily step away duty earlier this month due to medical reasons.
LIV Golf world ranking points
Of course the biggest kink in the breakaway circuit's armour since its formation was its lack of world ranking points from the Official World Golf Rankings [OWGR]. Under the joint entity though, the framework states: "The parties will cooperate in good faith and use best efforts to secure OWGR recognition for LIV events and players under OWGR's criteria for considering LIV's pending application."
The future of team golf
One of LIV Golf's biggest successes on the other hand has been its decision to implement a team aspect to its competition alongside individual scoring. On the back of this it seems that this team operation will look to be adapted by its two new sister tours.
The report addresses the potential of team golf being utilised, with both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour set to 'determine how best to integrate team golf' into their circuits.
Saudi Investment
Financially it is outlined that the PGA Tour and DP World Tour will contribute all of their 'commercial business and rights' into NewCo, in exchange for 'equity ownership' of the entity. PIF will then contribute their 'golf assets' which includes the LIV setup, as well as a 'cash investment'.
As well as this, the Saudi fund would also become a premier corporate sponsor to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. It will also become the title sponsor of at least one tournament, and receive right of first refusal on sponsorship opportunities.
