The PGA Tour are fully aware of LIV Golf’s peace offering to their rival
The PGA Tour was promptly made aware of LIV Golf’s olive branch extended towards the DP World Tour once negotiations between the competing leagues started, according to reports.
Revelations emerged on Monday, as reported by Sports Illustrated, regarding LIV’s overture to the leaders of the DP World Tour to resolve penalties incurred by their players against the Wentworth-based organisation. After prevailing in an arbitration ruling earlier this year, the DP World Tour could lawfully fine and suspend its members who participated in ‘conflicting’ LIV events
This controversy has been thrusted back into the headlines in recent times, especially in relation to the Ryder Cup prospects for Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, considering both have yet to settle their unpaid fines with the DP World Tour resulting from their switch to the LIV golf series.
The duo has recently challenged their penalties, enabling them to play in the DP World Tour this season and maintain an opportunity to feature in next year’s Ryder Cup. While this provides a temporary solution, Rahm has declared quite openly his aversion to paying these fines.
The Spanish golfer vocalised last week: “I’m not a big fan of the fines,” and added, “I’ve been outspoken about the fines. I don’t intend to pay the fines and we keep trying to have a discussion with them about how we can make this happen.”
While negotiations were in progress, representatives from LIV were trying to broker a deal with the European setup on behalf of Rahm and his colleagues. The aim was to allow them to compete freely across both the breakaway league and the DP World Tour without facing further sanctions.
However, this proposal was turned down by the DP World Tour. The Mirror claim that the Wentworth-based circuit was not willing to compromise with their rivals, preferring to maintain the stance they have taken against those who have previously switched to the Saudi league.
In addition, the DP World Tour’s Strategic Alliance with the PGA Tour ensured that the American-based circuit was kept informed throughout the discussions with LIV. The PGA Tour has adopted a zero tolerance policy towards the breakaway league, banning all players from the LIV setup from participating in their events.
The American tour is currently in talks with LIV backers, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), about resolving the ongoing dispute within professional men’s golf. Despite announcing a framework agreement last June, the two sides have yet to officially sign off on a deal.
Last week, representatives of the PGA Tour met with PIF chiefs in New York to discuss potential investment from the Saudi fund into the PGA Tour’s for-profit entity, PGA Tour Enterprises.
