PGA Tour – PIF negotiations “in good place,” Monahan says (but declines to offer timeline)

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan made a series of concerning declarations regarding the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Despite months of talks, the anticipated deal to unify the golfing world seems no closer to fruition. 

The negotiation was made public in June 2023 when Monahan and Al-Rumayyan jointly announced the so called ‘framework agreement’. The deal was intended to unify the sport after the division caused by the creation of LIV Golf, which saw several high-profile players defect from the PGA Tour.

The announcement was met with shock and criticism, particularly from those within the PGA Tour who felt blindsided by the sudden move.

Since then, negotiations have continued behind closed doors, with little information emerging about the progress being made. Monahan has emphasized the complexity of the discussions, noting that they involve numerous factors that need to be carefully considered.

He has also highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue with all parties involved, including the players who were initially left out of the loop.

PGA Tour vs. PIF: Complex Negotiations with No End in Sight

In an informal discussion with reporters at TPC Southwind ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Monahan admitted that while discussions are still ongoing, significant progress has been elusive:

“They’re very complicated discussions,” he explained. “There’s a lot of elements to them. When you have the level of interaction we’re continuing to meet and move forward and discuss and debate, you can’t be anything but hopeful.”

These comments come over a year after Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF, announced a framework agreement intended to merge the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The golfing community initially expected swift progress, but the reality has been quite the opposite.

The PGA Tour’s recently released 2025 schedule mirrors the 2024 calendar, suggesting that a deal might not materialize anytime soon.

Despite the apparent lack of concrete advancements, Monahan remains cautiously optimistic:

“As it relates to times and timeframes and where we are, I’ll just say we’re in a good place with the conversations. That’s the most important thing,” he said.

However, he stopped short of offering any timeline for a resolution, leaving the golfing world in a state of uncertainty.

PGA Tour Commissioner’s cautious tone contrasted sharply with the optimism he expressed during the initial announcement of the framework agreement. At that time, he and Al-Rumayyan had projected confidence, leading many to believe that a unified golf tour was on the horizon. Now, more than a year later, Monahan’s remarks reflect the complex and protracted nature of the negotiations.

The delay in reaching an agreement has not only frustrated fans but also led to backlash from golfers. Initially, many players felt blindsided by the announcement of the framework agreement, accusing Monahan of not consulting them enough. This lack of communication resulted in widespread criticism, with Monahan facing pressure from all sides.

In response, Monahan has worked to rebuild trust with the players:

“When you think about where we were, engagement amongst our players, our partners, our fans, our investors I think is really, really high and really strong,” he said.

Despite these efforts, many golfers remain skeptical about the ongoing negotiations and the future of the PGA Tour.

As the golfing world waits for an update, Monahan’s recent comments suggest that the road to a deal may still be long and winding. The PGA Tour commissioner acknowledged that while the conversations are ongoing, there is no clear timeline for when an agreement might be reached. In the meantime, both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will continue to operate separately, with no major changes expected in the near future.

The situation remains fluid, and Monahan’s latest declarations have done little to quell the uncertainty surrounding the future of professional golf. As negotiations continue, the pressure on both sides to reach a resolution will only intensify. For now, the golfing community can only wait and hope that the ongoing discussions will eventually lead to a positive outcome for the sport.

Jay Monahan’s role in these negotiations will continue to be scrutinized as the golfing world watches closely for any signs of progress. While his recent declarations may not have provided the clarity that many were hoping for, they serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in uniting two of the most powerful forces in professional golf.