PGA Tour, LIV Golf break up gained’t be settled at St. Andrews, per professionals

What’s the finest place to conduct enterprise and negotiate agreements?

Eleven instances out of 10, it’s the golf course, the place bonds are fashioned and relationships are strengthened. A spherical of golf lasts greater than 4 hours, providing you with loads of time to strike up a dialog and maybe attain a compromise. Nevertheless it’s additionally a spot that places individuals relaxed and makes them really feel relaxed, maybe not by their recreation however by those that accompany them. Laughs are shared, and tales are informed, thus resulting in a extra strong connection. Therefore, a golf course pales compared to a Manhattan convention room, the place PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF) Governor Yasir al-Rumayyan final met.

This week, Monahan will tee it up alongside Billy Horschel on the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship at St. Andrews, a pro-am not dissimilar to the one held in Pebble Seaside every February. Al-Rumayyan, in the meantime, will play with LIV Golf’s Dean Burmester, who tied for twelfth on the PGA Championship this previous Could.

Coincidentally, or maybe not, the DP World Tour paired Horschel, Monahan, al-Rumayyan, and Burmester collectively on Day One at Carnoustie, as this highly effective group will begin on the tenth tee at 4 a.m. ET. That led many to suspect a deal between the PGA Tour and the PIF, LIV Golf’s beneficiary, could be made—one thing the 2 sides have been working in the direction of since June 2023.

However Horschel shot down that notion on Wednesday.

“One, I don’t suppose they’ll have any dialog on the golf course concerning the deal,” Horschel mentioned.

Picture by Warren Little/Getty Pictures

“And two, I consider there’s been goodwill on either side to make a deal occur over the past 18 months because the [framework] settlement. It might not transfer as rapidly as individuals need. There are plenty of difficult issues to determine, and there are plenty of issues behind the scenes that the general public simply doesn’t perceive and that they will’t touch upon.”

Defending champion Matthew Fitzpatrick echoed this sentiment.

“I don’t suppose they’ll resolve the way forward for golf in 5 hours round Carnoustie,” Fitzpatrick mentioned.

“I do know Carnoustie is fairly bloody exhausting. Not a lot time for speaking.”

The DP World Tour isn’t dense, although. After opening with al-Rumayyan and Burmester, Horschel and Monahan will play with Rory McIlroy and his father, Gerry, at Kingsbarns, some of the underrated programs in Scotland, not to mention the world. McIlroy, in fact, has advocated for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to unite, creating a world tour that features the very best gamers.

McIlroy and Monahan have additionally had an attention-grabbing relationship over the previous few years. Earlier than Monahan struck an settlement with the PIF, McIlroy served because the speaking head for the PGA Tour, championing its trigger whereas disparaging LIV Golf and every part it stood for. However after Monahan discretely struck a cope with al-Rumayyan and his Saudi contingent, McIlroy admitted to feeling like a “sacrificial lamb.” He has since softened his stance on LIV, and has longed for this schism, which has plagued skilled golf since 2022, to come back to an finish. It’s additionally price noting that McIlroy resigned from the PGA Tour Coverage Board in November 2023, however then joined the Transactional Subcommittee, which is in place to assist get this deal throughout the end line, this previous spring.

Then, on Day Three, at St. Andrews, Horschel and Monahan will be a part of Louis Oosthuizen and South African Billionaire Johann Rupert. Rupert is a big purpose why the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship at St. Andrews is so properly attended and acquired every year. He additionally helps quite a few DP World Tour occasions in South Africa, usually held in December every year.

However, a few of the most influential individuals within the sport will descend upon the house of golf this week. A deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf won’t come out of skinny air as these powerbrokers navigate the Barry Burn. However possibly an additional incentive to strike an settlement will come up. That might assist the prospects of ending this divide, on the very least.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. Make sure to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.