TRENDING: PGA TOUR May Be Ready to Negotiate with LIV Golf

Approximately 1 year ago, PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan began drawing his line in the sand against the rumors of competitor leagues, including the SGL (Super Golf League) and PGL (Premier Golf League).  While those alternative Tours never materialized, LIV Golf has now held 2 events and attracted a significant number of talented golfers, including 3 of the 6—Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau—of the qualifying team members from the 2021 US Ryder Cup team.

And while the PGA TOUR and its members have continued to criticize or belittle the LIV Golf endeavor, with players going as far as saying they don’t want the defectors to return to the TOUR, it also appears that some are feeling that the time to waive the white flag and come to the negotiating table is fast approaching.

This isn’t to say the PGA or DPWT should just completely go back on where they stand. But when Rory, who has been Mr. PGA Tour throughout this whole shabang, is saying it’s time to talk…maybe it’s time to at least consider a dialogue. Just a thought.

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) July 7, 2022

BBC Sports expanded on what Rapaport commented on, noting that Rory stated peace talks “need to happen” to ensure that the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour can work with LIV to help make sure the game can grow, rather than experience continued division.

While Rory is not giving an official PGA TOUR or DP World Tour comment, it is clear that LIV Golf is not just going to fade away and disappear like the establishment tours were hoping.  Indeed, with the departure of Matt Wolff, James Piot (2021 US Amateur winner), and Eugenio Chacarra (World No. 2 Amateur), LIV has demonstrated that it’s not only willing to chase some of the top-tier golfers, but also young, developing talents that could benefit from extended LIV careers.

Rory McIlroy has some strong opinions on the players who have joined the LIV Golf series 👀

More ⤵️#BBCGolf

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 5, 2022

The Rory statements are given further weight by the fact that Ian Poulter was able to obtain a legal injunction to allow him to play in the Scottish Open after being forced to take legal action against DP World Tour.  As you can imagine, when the legal system starts ruling in the other guy’s favor, it might be a sign that your position isn’t as strong as you once thought and, instead, that it might be time to start negotiations.

Regardless, Rory’s statements represent a significant, about-face from his very recent statements against former colleagues who defected, going as far as stating that they should not “try to come back and play over here again.”

Cover Image Via FirstSportz