The controversies surrounding the $3 Billion merger involving the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf are hardly at their end, even though the details of the framework agreement are being finalized. The players on the Saudi-backed tour breathed a sigh of relief when the deal was first announced, hoping for a way back to the American circuit without conflict.

Since then, the golf world has stood witness to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan’s statements about the process of having the players return from the breakaway tour. LIV golfers as well as CEO Greg Norman also shared high hopes for peace and camaraderie in the golfing fraternity. However, early news of a breakthrough tournament schedule once again raised suspicions about the lucrative deal.

LIV Golfers may have prematurely hoped for more

Falsified news about an 18-tournament Global Tour broke out earlier and wreaked havoc in the golfing cosmos. The PIF-PGA deal was allegedly planning an elite tournament schedule where members of all the circuits would compete against each other without any bias. This league would be treated as a separate entity from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf’s individual tournaments. This also meant OWGR points for LIV Golf.

However, BunkeredOnline has verified the information to be false. Evidently, there is no such understanding among the three major circuits despite the $3 Billion merger. The American and European tours are signing the deal with the Saudi-PIF only for peace and harmony. And as of now, they have no intentions to conjugate the three circuits under a single umbrella.

It has left fans to wonder how LIV Golf and their stakeholders, including Greg Norman are benefiting from the merger. Some players had expectations to return to the PGA Tour without consequence but that seems to be a premature plan. There appears to be no such addendum that could facilitate a smooth transfer back into the American circuit. It certainly is a setback for LIV Golfers.

The finer details of the merger are under advisement and scheduled to be released by the end of the year. LIV Golfers may still have hope for a smooth transition by other means.

Also Read: Days After Jay Monahan’s ‘Control’ Confession, LIV Golf Seems Unfazed With PGA Tour’s Claim Per Executives Latest Remarks

What changes to expect in pro golf next season

The PGA Tour did announce a calendar series for the 2023-24 season wherein a few Signature tournaments will not have a cut rule, much like the norms of LIV Golf. However, three Signature events, the ones associated with Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus, will still feature the cut rule.

Additionally, the Tour is expected to reduce the field for the events, although the details are still being finalized. Furthermore, Jay Monahan did claim earlier that LIV Golfers may have hope to return via Q-school once again, although the declaration was heavily criticized by several LIV loyalists.

Do you think an 18-tournament series would be a good idea though? What other changes are you expecting in pro golf after the merger? Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comments below.

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