The good news is that the player-directors of the PGA Tour will meet the PIF officials for the first time. But the not-so-good news is that even before meeting, not everyone is on the same page. There is no clarity on when that meeting will happen. Furthermore, one meeting is unlikely to solve the lingering issues that have divided the tour itself.

And as if there weren’t enough reasons to believe that the merger talks would continue to drag on further, Peter Malnati just gave us one more. The sitting Tour Policy Board member spoke his mind at TPC Sawgrass, with enough hints to evince a lingering discord.

Peter Malnati would prefer to keep the PGA Tour model intact

Peter Malnati sounded off on the possibility of incorporating a team format into the current FedEx Cup schedule. “I don’t see a way that we incorporate team golf into the FedExCup schedule. I personally don’t want that, but I can have my mind changed if I see a great idea. I don’t see a way that we integrate team golf within the FedExCup schedule.” 

Furthermore, the 36-year-old doesn’t think the “forced team model” in LIV is good in itself.  “Are there any fans that care which team won the tournament? I don’t know what fans of LIV want or care about, but are there any fans that care about who won it?” It was a strange echo of what Wyndham Clark said a month ago. Nevertheless, just like incorporating the team format, including LIV golfers is a thorny matter.

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PGA Tour players want LIV Golfers back, but with some ‘caveat’

Rory McIlroy, a former player-director on the board, would prefer to bring the LIV Golfers back without any punishment. “Let them come back… I don’t think there should be a punishment [for LIV players wanting to return to the PGA Tour].” But not everyone is on the same page. Pressed for his opinion on the matter, Rickie Fowler, said, “I mean, they made decisions and there’s — there has to be something for it. how small or big, that’s not up to me.”

Even Scottie Scheffler, who has been reticent about LIV Golf until recently, disagreed. “They definitely shouldn’t be able to come back without any sort of contribution to the Tour.” Scheffler would prefer some “caveat.” That would surely be a matter of discussion when the player-directors meet PIF officials sometime soon. 

Read More: LIV Golf Needs Merger to Happen Badly Than PGA Tour; Here’s Why

Player-directors will move the needle, but when?

Both Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott agreed that they would meet PIF officials at some point. But there is no existing timeframe. Spieth, who replaced Rory McIlroy on the board, said, “I’m not sure that I can say much more other than we’re being encouraged to potentially meet with them.” Even Scott was reluctant to divulge any further details. Eamon Lynch of Golfweek reported that an in-person meeting might happen on Monday, a day after THE PLAYERS Championship concludes. But, again, there is no certainty on the dates.

Interestingly, Keith Pelley, the outgoing DP World Tour CEO, earlier hinted that some differences can be ironed out as soon as April. However, in a more recent chat with the Sunday Times of London, the Canadian CEO said he would love to stay until the deal is reached, but there is no guarantee of how long it might take. So, golf fans are in for a long haul, unless a positive breakthrough is reached on Monday.

Read More: Tiger Woods: The Biggest Hurdle Between LIV Golfers & Their PGA Tour Comeback Dream; Explored