Although the relationship between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has been hostile in the past, things have improved. Improved in some very small ways, enough for merger talks to have sparked. In the first half of 2025, those merger talks came up, but then those talks stalled. With 2025 coming to a close in a month, what is the state of the merger between the two leagues?
The PGA Tour And LIV Golf Merger
During spring, it did look like something would happen between the two leagues. Sources came out and would tell about a meeting regarding the merger, Tiger Woods sat with the president to discuss it, and the players were pretty optimistic that they would be able to play with each other again. Then, for many reasons, negotiations would fall through. During one run of negotiations, the chairman of the PIF wanted a seat on the board for the merged leagues. The PGA did not want that, and things fell through. That was the last time talks happened, and now players, commentators, and fans are wondering if LIV is even worth it.
Is LIV Golf An Asset?
LIV Golf has a lot of money. It is primarily funded by Saudi Arabia’s PIF, and over the course of the league’s short life, it has spent five billion. All the money being spent sure is impressive, but there’s not much to show for it. Sure, the players involved are generously compensated for their time, but they are lacking in things like global rankings and easy major access. Something that the PGA has baked into its system. LIV Golf does have access to plenty of venues around the world and has even bought some. Earlier this year, the league was looking to purchase one of London’s historic golf courses.
All these steps haven’t translated into one important asset, viewership. The league has only signed a deal with Fox Sports this year and has previously relied on streaming for its tournaments. The league has been criticized for its lackluster viewership, which is often significantly below what the PGA Tour attracts on a slow day. The league’s spending has also drawn criticism from Rory McIlroy, who believes the league’s spending could cause lasting damage.
Brian Rollap Hints At The Merger
When Brian Rollap took over as the CEO of the PGA, the hopes of a merger briefly sparked back to life. This was, of course, months after the previous talks had already stalled. Wesley Bryan, who was previously suspended by the PGA, even reached out to reevaluate said suspension. However, since Rollap took over, talks of the merger have once again faded away. In a recent conference at the CNBC’s CEO Council Forum, Rollap hinted that he isn’t actively looking for a deal, but also isn’t completely dismissing one.
Will There Be A PGA LIV Merger
At the time of writing, the hopes of a merger happening between the two leagues have all but disappeared. Realistically speaking, LIV Golf has everything to gain from such a merger, but the PGA won’t be getting much. The PGA has been going strong for over a century and has the names and achievements to show for it. As well as its own space in the public consciousness. LIV Golf has none of that; the league has yet to turn a profit, yet it still only spends more money. A lot needs to happen before the PGA reconsiders merging with LIV Golf again. Until then, it looks like a merger won’t go through.
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