LIV Golf shifting to a 72-hole format ringing alarm in the PGA Tour HQ? Considerably, LIV now has a similar product and has half of the best golfers in the world. While LIV may be on better terms with the DP World Tour, are both the Tours in threat of being overshadowed by it? That is what veteran pro, Paul McGinley, believes.

“The writing’s on the wall that it’s going to be a matter of time before LIV do get points. It’s a legitimate competitor for both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour. Because of the huge amount of money that’s put in front of the players and relatively weak fields, the opportunity to make a lot of money is very, very clear. I think they’re a legitimate threat and they’re a legitimate competitor to the DP and the PGA Tours,” McGinley told Bunkered’s Ben Parsons.

The PIF has invested over $5 billion in LIV Golf in the last four years. During this period, they have not only pushed the 13 $20 million events annually, but also heavily invested in signing high-profile players to bring to the league. Unfortunately, that has led to them sustaining $1.4 billion worth of losses, but Yasir Al-Rumayyan & his team have still not given up. In fact, President Donald Trump also revealed that the PIF has no plans to slow down as it continues to push for the success of LIV Golf.

If LIV Golf attains OWGR status, it will have everything the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour offer — and more. Unlike the other Tours, pros will have to play 15 events, according to the new contract terms. They will get the opportunity to explore various challenging courses around the world. Lastly, all the tournaments they participate in will be big-purse events. LIV golfers will also get the opportunity to qualify for the majors directly from LIV Golf. Augusta National & the R&A have opened new paths for LIV Golf pros to qualify for the Masters Tournament and The Open.

All things considered, it’s understandable why Paul McGinley strongly believes LIV Golf has turned into a legitimate threat to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. But how can the other Tours overcome this threat and learn to work with the Saudi-based league?

Top Stories

LIV Golf CEO Breaks Silence as Brooks Koepka Exits Before Contract Expiry

PGA Tour Drops Cryptic Brooks Koepka Statement as He Exits LIV Golf After 3 Years

Lee Trevino, 86, Leaves Golf World Hanging on Every Word at PNC: ‘I’ve Been Digging Worms’

Who Is Brooks Koepka’s Wife Jena Sims? Ethnicity, Children, Career & More About Golf WAG Revealed

Brooks Koepka Net Worth 2025: LIV Golf Contracts & Salaries Explored

How can the PGA Tour & the DP World Tour overcome the threat from LIV Golf?

With the kind of money PIF is investing in LIV Golf, it will be challenging for the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour to compete with them. The European Tour has already started working together with them in an attempt to build a better channel of player exchange. Recently, they also announced that they will allow their players to participate in the LIV Golf Promotions Event since it’s not clashing with any DP World Tour event from January 8-11, 2026.

However, the PGA Tour has been on the edge when it comes to aligning with LIV Golf. Both their leaders, Brian Rolapp & Scott O’Neil, have found common ground a few times already. But there are a few factors that have become a cause of concern for the PGA Tour. Tom McKibbin’s recent win in the Link Hong Kong Open opened his doors to the Masters Tournament & The Open. Players like Joaquin Niemann, who were suffering due to a lack of OWGR, might not face the issue anymore as LIV Golf is getting close to achieving the status. In fact, an insider revealed that they are closer than ever to getting sanctioned in the near future.

The Tours are still not at a stage where they can discuss collaboration yet. The PIF/PGA Tour merger discussions have already fallen apart too many times. As LIV Golf continues to grow, it will be interesting to see if the PGA Tour’s stance about them changes, purely from a business perspective.