PGA Tour and LIV Golf bosses share embrace and break golf rules at Carnoustie – amid hopes of a peace deal to end the sport’s civil war

Yasir Al-Rumayyan Competes at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Amidst LIV Golf and PGA Tour Peace Talks

On Thursday, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia and chairman of LIV Golf, made an appearance at the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The high-profile golf tournament took place at Carnoustie, one of Scotland’s most famous courses. Al-Rumayyan, who also serves as chairman of Premier League club Newcastle United, made headlines not only for his presence but for his choice of attire—Newcastle United merchandise—raising eyebrows due to the course’s strict dress code.

In a week filled with some of the biggest names in professional golf competing in the DP World Tour event, much of the attention has been diverted to the Pro-Am division, where Al-Rumayyan was teamed up with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. The pairing is particularly notable given that both men are at the center of ongoing discussions to resolve the tension between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Their appearance on the course together was symbolic of their efforts to negotiate a peace deal after more than a year of division between the two golf organizations.

LIV Golf, the breakaway league funded by PIF, shook the golfing world when it emerged, enticing top PGA Tour players with lucrative offers. In response, the PGA Tour took a hardline stance, banning players who defected to LIV. However, in a surprising turn of events last June, the two sides announced a framework agreement aimed at resolving their conflict and bringing unity back to the sport. Despite this, the finer details of the deal remain unresolved, and the discussions are ongoing.

For now, Al-Rumayyan’s focus has shifted from the negotiating table to the golf course, as he takes part in this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Although tensions have simmered between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf for some time, the atmosphere between Al-Rumayyan and Monahan was friendly as they embarked on their first round together. The two exchanged smiles and even embraced at the first tee, symbolizing a potential thawing of the icy relations between the two golfing giants.

However, Al-Rumayyan’s outfit choice did not go unnoticed. As the chairman of Newcastle United, he opted to sport clothing bearing the football club’s emblem during his round at Carnoustie. This decision appears to have violated the venue’s official dress code. Carnoustie’s rules stipulate that golf shirts must either have collars or be recognized as appropriate golfing attire, explicitly banning football jerseys or any clothing featuring non-golfing-related logos, slogans, or illustrations.

Al-Rumayyan was wearing what appeared to be a quarter-zip top, as opposed to a traditional football jersey, but the inclusion of the Newcastle United badge likely placed him in breach of the regulations. According to Carnoustie’s dress code, “football shirts and any shirts carrying slogans, numbers or non-golfing related illustrations, are not permitted.” Despite this potential rule violation, no action seemed to have been taken by the tournament organizers, allowing Al-Rumayyan to proceed with his round alongside Monahan.

Their pro partners, South African golfer Dean Burmester and American PGA Tour star Billy Horschel, joined them for the round, which started without a hitch or any signs of animosity. The encounter was far removed from the fraught discussions that have characterized the relationship between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf over the past year.

Efforts to finalize a deal between the two sides have continued behind the scenes. In fact, as recently as last month, key stakeholders from both PGA Tour Enterprises and PIF gathered in New York in an attempt to accelerate negotiations. DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings was also present, representing another crucial party in the ongoing talks. Speaking at the BMW PGA Championship, Kinnings expressed optimism about the prospects of a resolution, telling Sky Sports: “I’m very hopeful. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the game to come together and become more harmonious and global.”

He further elaborated on the nature of the discussions, saying, “There’s an ongoing process within the U.S. between the PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund, but in the room, those discussions also involve us, the DP World Tour, and the Strategic Sports Group. I think everyone has the right attitude going into that and doing the right thing for the game, taking it forward. I see it as an opportunity and, hopefully, it will be what’s good for the players, fans, and everyone else involved.”

While progress is being made, both parties are still working through the complex details that would shape the future of professional golf. The finalization of an agreement could have far-reaching consequences for players, fans, and the sport as a whole, potentially bringing an end to the divisive period that began with LIV Golf’s emergence.

As talks continue behind closed doors, Al-Rumayyan’s presence at Carnoustie serves as a reminder that golf’s power brokers are still working toward a unified future for the sport. And, at least for this week, the battle between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour has taken a back seat to the shared enjoyment of the game.