PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan has insisted that peace talks with LIV Golf and its rebels are "off the table" amid the ongoing legal battle.
Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Ian Poulter were among 11 LIV stars who filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour after being banned from playing in the organisation's events - although the former has said he is considering withdrawing from it.
However, the LIV stars may have to wait two years for an outcome with a summary judgement due on July 23, 2023 while it is understood that the trial hearing won't happen until January 8, 2024.
The tension and war of words have been mounting since the PGA Tour handed LIV golfers an immediate and indefinite ban from their events.
“Listen, I think I’ve been pretty clear on this: I don’t see it happening,” Monahan told the Golf Channel ahead of this week’s Presidents Cup when asked about any future peace talks between the organisations.
“When you look at where we are, and you think about words and actions, we’re currently in a lawsuit, so coming together and having conversations, to me, that card is off the table, and it has been for a long period of time.”
This came after PGA Tour professional Patrick Cantlay said he would be surprised if there was no coming together in the distant future.
"I'm just saying when I look at all other sports, all the best players play together," he told the Golf Channel. "It will feel like a blip on the radar once it's all settled. It's just right now very unknown.”
LIV Golf boss Greg Norman attended a meeting at the Republican Study Committee on Wednesday to pitch them the idea of the controversial series and to talk about the 'anti-competitive tactics' by the PGA Tour. However, he was met with a frosty reception over concerns about the backing and funding from Saudi Arabia.
House. Rep. Chip Roy told reporters: “Don’t come in here and act like you’re doing some great thing while you’re pimping a billion dollars of Saudi Arabian money and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the United States.”
Norman insisted he simply wanted to inform the Republican members of both sides of the story in order for them to understand LIV Golf and was adamant the meeting went well. Rep. Tim Burchett left the meeting before Norman’s visit had concluded, suggesting it was all propaganda.
