Jordan Spieth Says PGA Tour Deal Delay with PIF ‘Not Anyone’s Fault’

On the same day, a Bloomberg report stated that the big holdup in the PGA Tour and LIV Golf negotiations is due to money, Jordan Spieth – a PGA Tour Policy Board member – said that progress continues to be made.

And he doesn’t believe there’s any party to blame for the snail’s pace of the talks, which are closing in on one year behind the original deadline of Dec. 31, 2023, to strike a deal.

In speaking with Golfweek, Spieth hinted that money has been a hurdle that’s tough to overcome.

Q&A: Jordan Spieth makes first public appearance since wrist surgery, expects to play ‘at my ceiling’ by Jan. 1 https://t.co/GIe3L5ggXT pic.twitter.com/0ZMiQRELvo

— Golfweek (@golfweek) September 17, 2024

The Bloomberg report said that those on the PGA Tour are hesitant to let those with LIV back in without any penalty after they made millions in signing bonuses.

Alternatively, bonuses could be given to those who stayed with the PGA Tour, and there were talks that those golfers would be given equity stakes in the for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises venture that was created earlier this year.

Spieth, who is currently recovering from wrist surgery and expects to be playing again in January, said:

“The best players at the top levels have significantly benefited from this scenario that’s probably unsustainable. I can assure you that as annoying as it probably seems from the outside, it’s just, it’s not anyone’s fault. It’s just the process of what needs to happen. It’s just going to take a little time.”

The sides met for several rounds of talks last week in New York, with Bloomberg’s Josh Carpenter saying that both parties “inched closer,” but a deal isn’t a certainty.

Cover Image via Field Level Media