PGA TOUR Updates Players on Negotiations with PIF

The PGA TOUR updated players on the negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) in a memo shared late last night.

Negotiations with the PIF have been ongoing for over a year, as the two signed a “framework agreement” last June that aimed to bring the two parties together. For nearly a year, no real progress was made. However, the week before the U.S. Open, the parties met in New York City, and things finally started to align, bringing hope to those who wished for an end to the division in professional golf.

The memo, a Policy Board Meeting Summary, showed that PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan provided an update to players during the meeting, which resulted in a consensus being reached “on several items.”

However, the meeting did not result in an ultimate agreement that would see the PIF begin funding the PGA TOUR as a major investor. The Meeting Summary said that “there is still work to do to reach a final agreement.”

The memo continued:

“Our talks are ongoing, with the goal of developing a shared vision for the future of professional golf that is pro-competitive and provides players with the best global opportunities. Your Player Directors have been crucial in this process. Their insights and perspectives are steering us towards a positive outcome, and we will keep you updated as additional work is accomplished.”

Rex Hoggard on X (formerly Twitter): “According to memo sent to Tour players talks continue with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund towards a “definitive” agreement but there is “still work to do.” pic.twitter.com/vc6OtL5R1G / X”

According to memo sent to Tour players talks continue with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund towards a “definitive” agreement but there is “still work to do.” pic.twitter.com/vc6OtL5R1G

On June 11, it was reported that the PGA TOUR and PIF had signed a draft agreement to finalize Saudi Arabia’s investment in the PGA TOUR. This has not yet been confirmed by either party, but it could be a part of the negotiations as there are two major moving parts: investment and conglomeration.

While a financial or investment-related deal might be agreed to, how the players who left the TOUR for LIV Golf will be reincorporated into the TOUR may be a major pain point for negotiations moving forward.

LIV Golfers took outrageous sums of money — perhaps as much as $600 million in Jon Rahm’s case — to leave the TOUR and play on LIV exclusively. How this money would be handled at this point, especially as it is Rahm’s first year on LIV, will be what could hold up negotiations even further.

Cover Image via Golf Magazine