Tiger Woods, Jay Monahan and Adam Scott say they are committed to the reunification of golf after President Donald Trump hosted a meeting between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The PGA representatives met with Trump and LIV Golf counterparts at the White House on Thursday.
A working meeting did not reach a deal in golf’s ongoing civil war. However, Woods, PGA Commissioner Monahan, and player representative Scott say the talks prompted an initial discussion about how to move the game forward.
It is more than 18 months since the PGA Tour and LIV Golf announced a framework agreement over a potential merger, ending a four-year row over the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway tour. Public Investment Fund (PIF) governor and LIV Golf chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan was also present in discussions with the PGA and Trump.
A joint statement issued by Woods, Monahan and Scott read: « We have just concluded a constructive working session at the White House with President Trump and H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
« Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, we have initiated a discussion about the reunification of golf. We are committed to moving as quickly as possible and will share additional details as appropriate.
« We share a passion for the game and the importance of reunification. Most importantly, we all want the best players in the world playing together more often and are committed to doing all we can to deliver that outcome for our fans. »
Woods later joined Trump in a Black History Month event wearing his Presidential Medal of Freedom. Monahan and Scott were present in the audience.
« I’ve always tried to swing just like Adam. It never worked out that way, » said Trump, adding he « had some interesting discussions” with the golfers. The PGA Tour had previously said that it was closer to reaching a deal with PIF after a first meeting with Trump. The US President is an avid golfer and owns several resorts, including in Scotland.
Woods missed that initial meeting after the death of his mother earlier this month. But he said of the relationship between the two tours a week later: « I think that things are going to heal quickly.”
Trump played golf with Woods on February 9.
LIV Golf was launched by PIF in 2021 and attracted some of the best golfers in the world, who were subsequently banned from PGA events. They paid stars huge sums of money to rebel. Tensions have since simmered with talks ongoing over a potential merger.
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