DP World Tour Strikes Down LIV Golf Deal

With the PIF and the PGA Tour meeting extensively over the past week, golf fans have been waiting for news to break on a potential merger. The PIF and LIV Golf reportedly made the first attempt at gaining a road back for the LIV players through the DP World Tour (formerly known as PGA Tour Europe or the European Tour).

What Exactly Happened?

When these players left for the LIV Golf, they were hit with sanctions. One of the heaviest sanctions was that if the players ever planned to return to play in PGA-sanctioned events it would come with a penalty. In this case, the PIF and LIV motioned to allow LIV players to participate in DP World Tour events. This would allow LIV players to accumulate points to keep them in the running to be members of next year's Ryder Cup tournament at Bethpage Black in New York.

Ultimately, this was shot down by the DP World Tour, as the PIF and LIV were willing to pay the financial sanctions on behalf of the players. While good intent existed, it seems the DP World Tour and PGA Tour are going to make the players of LIV pay to play themselves to make this happen.

On Tap At The Tee Box

You've gotta start somewhere to get anywhere. This was a nice first step though it was immediately shut down. The fact is these players went to LIV for life-changing money and they're not going to give it up easily. The PIF and LIV offering to pay the sanctions at least shows that progress is being made at golf unification.

The game of golf needs this, especially for next year's Ryder Cup (just applied for my tickets, humble brag.)  Though nothing came of this initial foray, it's a step in the right direction. I'm hoping the sides can come to an agreement that allows top players to qualify their way on these teams. It's not just about Team Europe; the U.S. needs the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka (performance-based) to be ready to take the call next September in NYC.

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