LIV Golf make unusual Rory McIlroy call in first move of its kind amid PGA Tour talks
LIV Golf is currently in ongoing negotiations with the PGA Tour about a potential merger, aiming to resolve the tensions that have divided professional golf. In a significant step forward, LIV Golf has extended what could be seen as a goodwill gesture by promoting an event featuring prominent players from both sides of the sport’s…
LIV Golf is currently in ongoing negotiations with the PGA Tour about a potential merger, aiming to resolve the tensions that have divided professional golf. In a significant step forward, LIV Golf has extended what could be seen as a goodwill gesture by promoting an event featuring prominent players from both sides of the sport’s divide.
On December 17, an 18-hole exhibition match in Las Vegas will bring together two top-ranked PGA Tour players—Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler—against two leading figures from the LIV Golf series, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. This televised event, taking place at Shadow Creek, marks the first time that stars from both tours will compete outside of major championships, which have been the only tournaments where players from both factions could face each other since LIV Golf’s inception.
LIV Golf has also taken the unusual step of promoting the PGA Tour players in its marketing materials for the event. A graphic featuring all four participants, including McIlroy and Scheffler, has been circulated by LIV Golf, a move that has caught many by surprise given the strained relationship between the two tours. McIlroy, once a vocal critic of LIV Golf, is now being highlighted by the Saudi-backed tour, a signal that tensions may be easing as discussions of a merger continue.
The proposed merger, first announced in June of the previous year, seeks to end the division in golf by uniting the two tours under a framework backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The PIF is expected to provide financial support to PGA Tour Enterprises, which would pave the way for a unified competition platform, allowing the world’s top players to compete on one tour once again.
However, despite the initial progress, the merger has faced several delays due to legal and structural complexities. Last month, McIlroy, who has been deeply involved in discussions, revealed that the process is still in the hands of lawyers, with no resolution yet in sight. He expressed hope that an update would be available before the end of the year, but acknowledged that the legal challenges remain significant.
McIlroy commented on the situation, stating, “By year’s end, we’ll know whether the Public Investment Fund will invest in PGA Tour Enterprises, but that doesn’t necessarily solve the broader issues in golf, such as the schedule and other logistics.” He emphasized that while the two tours may continue to operate independently for the foreseeable future, some form of cooperation—such as crossovers in scheduling—could occur in the interim.
He further explained that the legal precedents in both the U.S. and abroad complicate matters, making it difficult to find a clear path forward. “No one likes dealing with lawyers,” McIlroy said, expressing frustration with the process. Yet, he remains optimistic that all parties are committed to finding a resolution, even if the legal negotiations continue to stall the merger.
The upcoming exhibition match in December is being viewed as a potential turning point, as it symbolizes a willingness from both sides to engage and find common ground. While much remains uncertain, the event may offer a glimpse into what a unified future for professional golf could look like.
