After almost two years of bloody war between the PGA Tour and the new Saudi Circuit, the agreement has surprised all levels and golf players. The intention of the new entity is to combine the businesses and commercial rights of the three major circuits and create a single structure that builds a new model with the best players in the world.
From Jedah, the PIF headquarters, they confirm to this newspaper that they did not know anything about this news. However, they admit some indications such as frequent trips by the fund's executives to the United States with meetings even with some North American congressmen whose intervention, it seems, was key to bringing positions closer. And St. Agustine (Florida), PGA Tour sources consulted by this newspaper claimed to be completely unaware of this approach and the agreement has surprised them as much as the rest of the sector.
Jay Monahan, commissioner of the PGA Tour, who has had one of the most vehement positions against LIV Golf and its funding, stated in the statement that “this is a historic day for the game we all know and love.. This transformative partnership recognizes the immeasurable strength of the PGA Tour's history, legacy and competitive model and combines it with the DP World Tour and the LIV, including the concept of team golf, to create an organization that will benefit players from golf and the fans. It is the same Monahan who declared open war on LIV Golf by banning players from participating in the Saudi league. The PIF, the investment fund of Saudi Arabia, further commits to make an initial capital investment to facilitate a successful growth of the new structure. The Board of Directors will include Al-Rumayyan as Chairman and Jay Monahan as Chief Executive Officer
Along the same lines, Keith Pelley, executive director of DP World, said “it is a historic day for the world of golf” and added that with this agreement and as the main measure from 2024 “players who had asked to leave or who have been expelled from the DP World Tour for playing in the LIV will have their doors open again to enter the DP World Tour, as they will also have them open to return to the PGA Tour”.
The sanctions imposed on the players who were once 'rebels' will be annulled and in the absence of knowing the final structure of the new golf conglomerate, LIV players such as the Spanish Sergio García, Eugenio López Chacarra or David Puig could participate in other circuits without restrictions. Although this measure will be implemented from 2024, this historic decision could open the door for Sergio García to return to the Ryder Cup.
The announcement was totally unexpected and after all the war, a crossroads of continuous statements, accusations, lawsuits and even players who ended up falling out publicly as was the case with Rory MclIroy and Sergio García, no one could expect this unusual outcome, especially at this time. .