Deadline date extended between PGA Tour and PIF

In 2022 a breakaway golf tour was created which was called LIV Golf. The new tour was backed by Saudi Arabia and the CEO of LIV Golf was Greg Norman. LIV Golf had events in 2022 which started in June and were streamed on You Tube. LIV made statement signings in 2022 which included major champions Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith.

PGA Tour made a decision that LIV players would not be allowed to play in 2022/2023 season. LIV players were allowed to play in DP World Tour events until April 2023. All the players that joined LIV lost out on world ranking points due to not playing regularly and only playing in the majors. LIV players struggled in the majors since joining the breakaway tour until Koepka won the PGA Championship in 2023.

The world of golf was in shock on June 6th 2023 as it was confirmed that PGA Tour and DP World Tour would merge with PIF. Even though it was agreed in June there was negotiations between the two which needed to be sorted before the deadline of December 31st 2023. The 2023 Ryder Cup was unique as Koepka became the first LIV player to play for USA. The World Golf Rankings board decided in October to deny LIV players world ranking points.

LIV made a huge signing as Jon Rahm joined the breakaway tour in December. Both PGA Tour and PIF were unable to finalize an agreement before 31st of December. While the outcome of deal takes more time this gives LIV the opportunity to sign more elite players.

PGA Tour need to do everything to secure an agreement because the tour will be without several elite players which includes major champion Rahm. If an agreement is not made The Masters will have only 77 players competing in April. It’s been a mess for professional golf over the last two years and it needs to be put to an end soon.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Moynihan is under pressure to protect the tour. I don’t have a crystal ball but the amount of money that LIV has is endless and they will attract more players while there is no agreement. Even though LIV has announced events for 2024 they don’t mind waiting on PGA Tour. Losing Rahm was a disaster and hopefully another big elite player doesn’t leave in the next few weeks. An agreement needs to happen to protect the state of professional golf and it would mean the best players would play together more regularly.