PGA Tour, LIV Golf and DP World Tour agree shock 'historic' merger to end split in golf and halt litigation

Rivalling golf tours the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have announced a shock merger.

The PGA Tour and breakaway LIV have been at loggerheads for two years, with several star players leaving the former to join the latter, which was founded in 2021.

There has been pending litigation between the tours and some players have seemingly jeopardised their Ryder Cup hopes by opting to play on the LIV tour.

However, the golf scene now seems to have shifted dramatically as the two entities, along with the DP World Tour, have signed an agreement to combine their business and commercial rights “into a new, collectively owned, for-profit entity to ensure that all stakeholders benefit from a model that delivers maximum excitement and competition among the game’s best players”.

A statement from the PGA also said: “The new entity (name TBD) will implement a plan to grow these combined commercial businesses, drive greater fan engagement and accelerate growth initiatives already underway.

“With LIV Golf in the midst of its second, groundbreaking season, the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour and PIF will work together to best feature and grow team golf going forward.

“Notably, today’s announcement will be followed by a mutually agreed end to all pending litigation between the participating parties.

“Further, the three organisations will work cooperatively and in good faith to establish a fair and objective process for any players who desire to re-apply for membership with the PGA TOUR or the DP World Tour following the completion of the 2023 season and for determining fair criteria and terms of re-admission, consistent with each tour’s policies.”

Saudi-backed LIV's first season came in 2022, when it lured several major winners away from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, including Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Louis Oosthuizen.

Further signings such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Patrick Reed have followed.

Rory McIlroy has been one of the most outspoken critics of LIV, suggesting players joined “purely for money”.

He has also said he doesn't think LIV players should be on the European team at the Ryder Cup later this year.

Whether this merger might smooth things over remains to be seen.

“After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love,” said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.

“This transformational partnership recognizes the immeasurable strength of the PGA Tour's history, legacy and pro-competitive model and combines with it the DP World Tour and LIV – including the team golf concept – to create an organization that will benefit golf’s players, commercial and charitable partners and fans. Going forward, fans can be confident that we will, collectively, deliver on the promise we’ve always made – to promote competition of the best in professional golf and that we are committed to securing and driving the game’s future.

“We are pleased to move forward, in step with LIV and PIF’s world-class investing experience, and I applaud PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan for his vision and collaborative and forward-thinking approach that is not just a solution to the rift in our game, but also a commitment to taking it to new heights. This will engender a new era in global golf, for the better.”