As 2025 approached, there was growing belief that the PGA Tour and LIV Golf would come to terms on a deal that would reunite the sport’s top players.
At one point, a merger seemed close. Tiger Woods even suggested that an agreement was nearing as discussions were set to take place at the White House.
But by the end of 2025, any hope had faded. Not only was no agreement reached, but it also appeared that all communication between the two sides had stopped completely.
Still, there may be some hope left. It is possible that a future deal is not entirely off the table.
PGA Tour merger prospects lifted by LIV Golf’s latest decision
In professional golf, nothing can be taken for granted, a point made clear by the June 2023 framework agreement.
While much of what goes on behind closed doors remains unknown, it is worth noting that PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil have an established relationship.
Rolapp has stated his main focus is what benefits the PGA Tour most when questions about merging with LIV come up.
But there has been a recent shift that could signal renewed willingness to talk.
Rex Hoggard mentioned on the Golf Channel Podcast that LIV’s move to 72-hole events might reflect openness around a key issue.
He said: “By all accounts, the dealbreaker here, the one thing that neither could come to terms with, is that the Public Investment Fund believes that team golf is the future of professional golf. They weren’t going to bend on that.
“The idea was the PGA Tour could not see a way to make that model work, at least not in the iteration that we see right now with LIV Golf.
“That doesn’t seem to be the point anymore. If they’re willing to go to 72 holes after essentially naming your tour 54 holes, then maybe it’s not a bridge too far. Maybe they can get to the idea that team golf could be an element, not the element of the competition.
“But the actual 72 holes of individual stroke play, that is the standard in professional golf, could be the main part. Maybe that’s a crack in the door. Maybe that’s a light at the end of the tunnel. But by all accounts, that would seem to be the non-starter. They weren’t going to budge on that one.”
Bryson DeChambeau will be pleased to hear there could be light at the end of the tunnel
So much of this may come down to how eager each side is to reach an agreement. Right now, the PGA Tour look like they are in a good place, having largely steadied themselves after the disruption LIV Golf caused early on.
But LIV are not short on resources, with the backing of the PIF behind them. They have also brought in a number of promising young players who have bright futures ahead.
If they are willing to wait things out, LIV might not feel any pressure to move away from their team golf stance.
Bryson DeChambeau has called for both sides to give a little more to reunite the sport. But if neither tour feels it needs the other and both remain firm on their positions, it is hard to see what would break the deadlock.
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