In a landmark effort to unify professional golf, President Donald Trump hosted a meeting at the White House on February 20, 2025. The discussion aimed to resolve the ongoing division between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed league that has disrupted the professional golf landscape since its inception in 2022. Attendees included Tiger Woods, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, player-director Adam Scott, and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). This meeting was a crucial step toward finalizing a long-debated partnership between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the PIF.
A step toward golf’s unification
The conflict between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf began when the Saudi-backed league lured several high-profile players away from the PGA Tour with massive contracts and signing bonuses. This led to legal disputes, player suspensions, and a fractured fan base. In June 2023, the organizations announced a framework agreement to work toward unification, but negotiations have been slow due to antitrust concerns and disagreements over LIV Golf’s future role.
President Trump, known for his strong ties with Saudi leadership and deep interest in golf, stepped in as a mediator. During the White House meeting, he highlighted the importance of bringing both sides together for the sport’s future. He introduced Tiger Woods, emphasizing their “interesting discussions” on how to unify the game. Trump even stated that if given full control, he could “broker peace in golf quickly”—a remark that gained significant attention.
Tiger Woods, who declined substantial offers to join LIV Golf, remains a key advocate for unity. He and Adam Scott reportedly pushed for reintegrating LIV players into the PGA Tour. Commissioner Jay Monahan described the talks as “constructive and focused on ensuring top players compete together more frequently”.
Beyond the sporting aspect, financial stakes are high. The PIF has offered a $1.5 billion investment in PGA Tour Enterprises, aiming to expand the sport globally. However, there are still regulatory concerns and questions over how LIV Golf will operate post-merger.
As negotiations continue, the golf world eagerly awaits a resolution. The potential unification could reshape professional golf, ensuring that the best players compete together while securing a long-term financial model for the sport’s future.