{"id":1245164,"date":"2023-06-06T18:57:09","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T18:57:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/merger-of-golfs-feuding-factions-sends-shockwaves-through-sport\/"},"modified":"2023-11-29T18:49:05","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T18:49:05","slug":"merger-of-golfs-feuding-factions-sends-shockwaves-through-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/merger-of-golfs-feuding-factions-sends-shockwaves-through-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"Merger of golf\u2019s feuding factions sends shockwaves through sport"},"content":{"rendered":"

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has hailed the shock declaration of peace between the game\u2019s warring factions as a \u201cgreat victory for global golf\u201d.<\/p>\n

Players reacted with shock, surprise and a sense of betrayal at the news the PGA Tour and DP World Tour were merging their commercial operations with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.<\/p>\n

The stunning announcement came after 12 months of unprecedented disruption in the men\u2019s professional game following the launch of LIV, which held its first event from June 9-11 in 2022 in Hertfordshire.<\/p>\n

The manager of one high-profile DP World Tour member told the PA news agency that players felt aggrieved at the lack of communication and were \u201cextremely shocked\u201d by the decision given the long suspensions and heavy fines handed out to rebel players.<\/p>\n

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In April, the DP World Tour won its legal battle against 12 players who committed \u201cserious breaches\u201d of its code of behaviour by playing in LIV Golf events without permission.<\/p>\n

The subsequent increased fines and suspensions prompted Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson to resign their memberships and become ineligible for the Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n

Those players could now return, with the Tours pledging to establish a \u201cfair and objective process\u201d to re-apply for membership, although Pelley confirmed they would need to pay their fines and serve their suspensions before being considered for reinstatement.<\/p>\n

Asked how he would respond to suggestions that the agreement represented a victory for LIV Golf, Pelley said: \u201cI would say it\u2019s a great victory for global golf.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a fantastic victory for the consumer, it\u2019s great for European golf, it\u2019s great for our members. We\u2019re a members\u2019 organisation and that\u2019s always front and centre in my mind.<\/p>\n

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Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour on today’s landmark agreement between DP World Tour, PGA TOUR and PIF. pic.twitter.com\/ezV07DQKnQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 6, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

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\u201cThis is a win for global professional golf and for the DP World Tour. We are mature grown-ups. The divisiveness is now over. We are just beginning and it\u2019s going to be a fun ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

In response to accusations that the deal amounted to what Amnesty International described as part of the \u201conward march of Saudi sportswashing\u201d, Pelley said: \u201cWe brought the Saudis into the game in 2018 and we had no challenge with what they were trying to do (with the Saudi International).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenge that we had is that they were playing outside the ecosystem (with LIV) and outside of the global professional golf infrastructure, and now they are playing inside it, and I\u2019m energised by the fact that the PIF (Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund) and the PGA Tour will both be working closely with the DP World Tour to grow our tour and grow it for our members.\u201d<\/p>\n

Announcing the deal, which was remarkably kept under wraps, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said: \u201cAfter two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis transformational partnership recognises the immeasurable strength of the PGA Tour\u2019s history, legacy and pro-competitive model and combines with it the DP World Tour and LIV, including the team golf concept, to create an organisation that will benefit golf\u2019s players, commercial and charitable partners and fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

The announcement will lead to a \u201cmutually-agreed\u201d end to all pending litigation between the various organisations.<\/p>\n

An anti-trust lawsuit against the PGA Tour was originally filed last August by 11 golfers before being taken over by LIV Golf. It was due to be heard in 2024.<\/p>\n

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Lee Westwood resigned his membership of the DP World Tour earlier this season (Steven Paston\/PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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PIF will initially be the exclusive investor in the new entity and have the right of first refusal on any capital to be invested.<\/p>\n

The PGA Tour will appoint a majority of the board and hold a majority voting interest in the combined entity, with PIF\u2019s governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan the chairman and Monahan the CEO.<\/p>\n