PGA Tour and LIV Golf set to end sport’s civil war as Rory McIlroy ‘helps broker £1bn deal’

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf are reportedly on the verge of ending their two-year conflict with a $1.29 billion agreement, marking a significant turn in professional golf’s landscape. The Saudi-backed LIV Golf had sparked a rift since its inception in 2022, as the PGA Tour responded by banning players who participated in LIV events.

In a major step toward reconciliation, the PGA Tour announced a framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) last year, leading to ongoing negotiations that have now culminated in this massive investment. As part of the agreement, PIF will acquire an 11 percent stake in the PGA Tour, along with two seats on its board, including a key chairman role.

Prominent PGA Tour players, including Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, have been instrumental in brokering the deal, with McIlroy reportedly playing a major role in the discussions. McIlroy, a longstanding critic of LIV Golf, worked to ensure that players who remained loyal to the PGA Tour would be rewarded through a dedicated fund backed by PIF.

Speaking at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, McIlroy highlighted the complex nature of the negotiations, noting the scale of the financial transactions and legal intricacies involved. With the finalization of this deal, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf hope to bring unity to professional golf, allowing both organizations to focus on the future of the sport.