PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan states a deal with LIV Golf isn’t imminent but called the White House meeting a “huge step” forward.
President Trump hosted the likes of Monahan, PGA Player Director Adam Scott, and LIV Golf Chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan at the White House last month in an attempt to accelerate talks between the two circuits over a reunification. However, speaking to the media ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Monahan hinted that more time would be required before finalising any agreement.
“We don’t have a next meeting set, but obviously we’re in a really busy stretch here,” Monahan said, via GolfWeek. “We’ve got Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players. They have got two events here the next two weeks. So it doesn’t mean there won’t be conversations, there’s just not a physical meeting set up.”
He was asked if he was expecting to announce a deal prior to the upcoming PLAYERS Championship, Monahan said: “I don’t see that happening.”
However, the Commissioner stated that his enthusiasm for a deal between the two parties remained strong.
“We had a recent meeting with the President, the Public Investment Fund, thought it was a constructive meeting. And we’re thankful for the President for his leadership, extremely thankful for him, for his willingness to host us in the Oval Office, and to help us continue those conversations,” Monahan said. “I feel like if you look at his commentary last week as ultimately seeing a deal happening and Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s comments at the FII about the good meeting that we had, I think we’ll just continue to move forward on those conversations.”
When describing some of the details, Monahan mentioned some hurdles that still stand in the way. He revealed that while 70% of fans support reunification, only 30% favor investment from the Public Investment Fund (PIF). He also admitted that “not everybody is going to be happy” about bringing LIV golfers back into the fold.
Industry sources believe a deal will happen but the timing of the deal still remains unclear.