LIV Golf’s backer, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, is considering a “potential tie-up” with the DP World Tour, according to Bloomberg. Discussions between the European Golf League and the sovereign wealth fund are separate from ongoing negotiations between the PIF and PGA Tour Enterprises.
If an agreement between the PIF and DP World Tour parties comes to fruition, LIV Golf members could receive access or membership to the latter tour. In exchange, the DP World Tour would receive financial compensation and support for its balance sheet, which often struggles in non-Ryder Cup years.
In 2022, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour expanded their initial strategic alliance with the PGA Tour by providing additional operational support and investments for the DP World Tour. Thanks to this partnership which is to last until 2036, the DP World Tour guarantees growth in annual funds for the next five years.
Unlike the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour has not completely closed the door on LIV Golf players’ eligibility for its tournaments. By imposing fines on players who participate in unsanctioned events, the DP World Tour has allowed those who have cleared their debts to hit its circuit.
Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton of LIV Golf were among the league members who played regularly on the DP World Tour this fall in order to fulfill membership requirements ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup. Hatton won the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, while others like Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed have also competed on the DP World Tour.
It has now been 18 months since the PGA Tour and PIF announced a master agreement to consolidate business operations under a new for-profit entity, which has since been named PGA Tour Enterprises. The deadline for the agreement expired on December 31, 2023, but the parties continued negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Strategic Sports Group – a consortium of US investors and sports team owners – has invested $1.5 billion in PGA Tour Enterprises, with another $1.5 billion available. PIF’s investment in PGA Tour Enterprises is estimated to be a similar amount.
