LIV Golf CEO’s Most Recent Comments on Merger Show Deal is Not Close

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil recently commented on the league’s capacity in the negotiations between the PGA TOUR and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), and it seems like a deal is not close, and there is no rush to agree to one.

The PGA TOUR and PIF seemed to be inching closer to a deal in the early part of 2025 as President Donald Trump started to get involved in the lagging negotiations. More players were speaking out about progress, and statements from those directly involved hinted that something big was coming.

However, O’Neil’s most recent comments have truly seemed to indicate that the PIF and LIV are in no rush to unify golf, things are going to have to be just right for all sides.

Sports Illustrated detailed O’Neil’s remarks:

“If the deal can help grow the game of golf I’ll jump in with two feet. Do we have to do a deal? No. It would be nice to do a deal, so long as we’re all focused on the same things. So do we have to do a deal or need a deal, whatever word you use, leave that to somebody smarter than me. I will say I love what we’re doing, I love our prospects. I love the growth in three months. I know what’s coming in the next three months. And I love where we are.”

Dissecting these comments seems to be more indicative of a league that would be fine with continuing things on its own terms, without the PGA TOUR and without any sort of true unification in the sport.

LIV Golf CEO Is Prepared to Move On Without PGA Tour Deal https://t.co/o3hyzM55Ri

— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) April 2, 2025

Although O’Neil speaks optimistically about LIV, which is what his job as the CEO would entail, some players are not necessarily as enthusiastic about where the league is. Brooks Koepka is one of them. 

He said earlier this week at the LIV Golf Miami presser:

“We all hoped it would have been a little bit further along, and that’s no secret…but they’re making progress, and it seems to be going in the right direction.”

Brooks Koepka Hints Once Again that He’ll Leave LIV Golf for the PGA TOUR

If negotiations continue to be prolonged, we are going to see some LIV players whose contracts expire mull their options about returning to the PGA TOUR. If a few big names leave, the TOUR may hold off on negotiating. Without big-name players, LIV won't have much to stand on.

Cover Image via CNN