LIV Golf is set to continue despite the groundbreaking merger with the PGA Tour.
Last week, the PGA sensationally announced, alongside the DP World Tour, that the two governing bodies had called a truce with LIV Golf and that the three parties would now work together to create a better future of golf. It brings an end to what has been more than a year of bitter rivalry, golfers falling out and ugly comments.
PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan described it as a "historic day" for the game. But what he, nor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which provides the financial backbone for LIV Golf, specified is what that detail looks like specifically.
While it's been speculated the merger could be the end for LIV Golf, or at least in the way golf fans know it now, it seems that may not entirely be the case. According to Sports Illustrated, boss Greg Norman, who was snubbed from the initial agreement meetings, told staff as much in a call that's now been leaked.
“The spigot is now wide open for commercial sponsorships, blue chip companies, TV networks,’’ a person who wishes to remain anonymous claimed Norman said . “LIV is and will continue to be a standalone enterprise. Our business model will not change. We changed history and we’re not going anywhere.’’
That is in direct conflict with Monahan's stance who said he did not "see a scenario" where LIV still remains alongside the PGA Tour.
It is also against the wishes of staunch PGA loyalist Rory McIlroy. Breaking his silence on the merger, the Northern Irishman did concede the agreement will be good for golf but had no trouble doubling down on how he really feels about LIV.
"There still has to be actions," he said when asked about LIV defectors. "The people who left the PGA Tour... we can't just let them back in."
He then stated: "I hate LIV. I hope that it goes away". Pressed on Saudi Arabia's influence in the sport, he admitted: "I've come to terms with it.' 'I've resigned myself to the fact that this is what's going to happen."
Martin Kaymer, a LIV Golf captain, took a less sympathetic stance with those who remained. The German says he, along with the league's 15 other captains, received a call from Al-Rumayyan confessing that there is still no clear direction for LIV Golf.
"Yasir rang me on Tuesday and said ‘we don’t know where this is going to go yet’ but congratulated me for making the right choice and trusting the whole product," he told The Telegraph. "And I’m very proud of myself that I did that. For PIF to come in now and buy the PGA Tour, support the PGA Tour, surprised everyone I guess."
Kaymer then blasted: "I’m really looking forward now to the reaction of all the people who said ‘we don’t want to play for blood money… ‘we don’t want to sell our soul’. Well now they need to move to Japan [and play on the Japan Tour], in order to stay true to their word."
