The deal between LIV Golf and PGA was first announced in June with a deadline of 31 December in mind. Since then, one setback after another has resurfaced. With the deadline fast approaching, a fresh new disagreement is likely to push the deadline even farther.

The blockbuster deal hashed out by a handful of PGA executives and LIV bosses, including PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, has been mired in controversy since the beginning. Reportedly, it was Al-Rumayyan who first proposed a peace accord. Before the shock of the deal could end, US Department of Justice dug their heels in. Now, a report claims both the sides are having a hard time meeting the demands of the players.

The latest setback for LIV Golf — PGA merger comes from the players

The June announcement, reportedly done behind closed doors without consultation from the golfers, didn’t sit well with PGA Tour players. Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas expressed their disappointment. Moreover, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it will officially probe the proposed merger over anti-trust concerns.

Since the first agreement, PGA Tour players, however, have gained more leverage over the deal. Jay Monahan, expressing regret for keeping players in the dark, has since inducted six players on the board. Tiger Woods was the latest member to join the group of Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Charley Hoffman, Peter Malnati and Webb Simpson.

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Now, a report by Bloomberg, hints at one more hurdle that the officials need to jump over before finalizing the deal. According to the report, the PGA Tour players, some of whom have rejected lucrative proposals from LIV, want to ensure they have a stake in the newly formed entity. With LIV yet to budge, it means there is no end in sight. At least not in the near future.

It’s well known that LIV’s pockets run deep as a rabbit hole. Their influence is undeniable. However, that hasn’t helped them iron out a deal behind closed doors. As LIV and PGA continue to navigate through the labyrinthine deal, it has taken the wind out of Jay Monahan’s sails for quite some time.

The PGA Tour-LIV Golf Union Hits a Roadblock Yet Again! $3B Merger Is Far Cry From Over Amid Cold-Shoulder From Yasir Al-Rumayyan

Jay Monahan doesn’t appear to be in total ‘control’

Earlier Jay Monahan claimed that the PGA Tour will retain its full operational control and will have PIF as the minority investor. The deal has drained his energy so much that the 53-year-old PGA executive went into a month-long sabbatical.

The puzzle that this deal has proven to be will take some more energy out of both the executives from PGA and LIV, as there are multiple other differences to sort out. Because, what happens to the broadcasting rights and brand sponsors is yet to be decided.

The PGA Tour season ended in August with the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Whereas, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf is set to wrap up its second season at the Team Championship in Miami later this month. Now all these fresh disagreements have once again brought chaos to the realm of golf. The drama goes on!

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