The DP World Tour has entered talks with LIV Golf over a possible deal, although discussions won’t impact ongoing negotiations with the PGA Tour as golf continues to transition
LIV Golf is still yet to agree on a deal with the PGA Tour over a merger, but could first strike an agreement with the DP World Tour ahead of the 2025 season.
The Saudi-backed tour is still trying to break into the mainstream golfing calendar, with players currently unable to receive Official World Golf Ranking points that go towards qualifying for the major competitions. The PGA of America has since allowed U.S. eligible players in LIV Golf to be considered for Ryder Cup selection, but the tour is still yet to gain the credibility needed to stand alone.
Talks with the PGA Tour are ongoing, but according to Bloomberg, a separate deal with the DP World Tour is underway. If a deal is negotiated, LIV Golf would have a stable position in the golfing calendar and the DP World Tour would have the financial backing it’s struggled without.
The potential deal would not impact progress made with the PGA Tour, but talks remain in the early stages. Representatives for LIV Golf and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are yet to comment on the rumoured negotiations.
A spokesperson for the DP World Tour told Bloomberg: “We remain in discussions with the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Enterprises, SSG and PIF relating to the ongoing overall picture for men’s global golf, but no agreements have been reached.”
Should LIV Golf and the DP World Tour reach an agreement, the two golfing entities could merge and lead to a shared schedule. Should this occur, golfers signed to both entities would be able to compete in all events, and it may even help LIV complete a future deal with the PGA Tour.
The DP World Tour is in need of funding, meaning a relationship would depend on LIV Golf providing investment. Prize money for DP World Tour events are already partially subsidised by the PGA Tour, and it’s possible that all entities could come together in the future.
The DP World Tour could join forces with LIV. ( Image: Getty Images)
The latest news comes as LIV Golf and the PGA Tour are expected to reach an agreement in the near future, following over a year of discussions. Tiger Woods has been assisting the planned merger, with the golfing icon and loyal PGA Tour member meeting with the head of Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
The PIF are hoping to hold a small stake in the PGA Tour, and there’s pressure for a deal to be reached before the start of the new season. The PGA Tour has already released its 2025 schedule, and LIV has issued four tournament dates for 2025 so far.
A deadline was initially set for the end of 2023, but that date passed without any agreement being signed and discussions have continued throughout 2024. There was hope that a new era of golf could begin in 2025, but time is running out.
