A binding agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf regarding a proposed merger is purportedly "inching closer" - but the final deal is allegedly being delayed as players demand that those who defected to the breakaway circuit return their contracts.
Despite the announcement last summer of plans for a new profit-making entity that would encompass the two rival tours and the DP World Tour, progress has been slow in bringing this vision to life. However, a meeting this month in New York between representatives from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the PGA Tour suggests there's still interest in reaching an agreement.
Bloomberg has reported that a major "sticking point" in the discussions is Jon Rahm's $500 million deal with the Saudi Arabian tour. According to their sources, PGA Tour stars are insisting that the Spanish golfing sensation return the money he earned by joining LIV earlier this year.
The report also claims that players on the American circuit have asked other defectors to give back the money they've made. It's suggested that options such as LIV stars paying fines to participate in events, donating to charity, or agreeing to forfeit any future career winnings on the PGA Tour have been discussed.
As current negotiations unfold, it seems Jon Rahm and other players who departed the PGA Tour are rejecting any settlement that would impose penalties for their departure. Sharing his thoughts on the potential coming together of the tours, Rory McIlroy opined to BBC Sport : "I think everyone in the game would love there to be one [a resolution]. A solution is hard to get to because there are different interests and people want different things."
McIlroy optimistically added: "There's going to have to be compromise on both sides but hopefully they're the things they're talking about in those meetings. I'm hopeful and hopefully we'll be hear some good news in the foreseeable future where things start to come back together."
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan also shared insights into the dialogue process, stating: "You look at where we are right now, we're in regular dialogue, we have the right people at the table with the right mindset."
Acknowledging the complexity of these discussions, he conceded: "I see that in all these conversations on both sides, that creates optimism about the future and our ability to come together. At the same time, these conversations are complex, they're going to take time. They have taken time and they will continue to take time."
He further stated: "When I sit here today, I think the most important thing is our obligation to fans, players and partners is to focus on what we control, which we're doing as I outlined and continue to carry this momentum forward. I'm not going to negotiate details in public or disclose details or specifics, but all I can say is that conversations continue and they're productive."
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