Merging of PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV!!

The LIV tour will be no more after this year, Greg Norman is beign axed!! Keep up.

There are so many here who don't actually listen to what's said and make up their own minds about everything.

For me the key thing was said right at the beginning. He said with his business head on, not his personal opinion, that he can see this improving the tour in ten years time. He didn't give a personal opinion and he's being sensible not doing that today.

You need time to let it all sink in, get all the details about exactly what's going on and then give your personal opinion.

Why are they inseparable?

"Improving the game" is so vague it's meaningless. Improve it for whom, exactly? Improving prize money at the top level (i.e., the US), inducing an exodus from the European tour? Why do the top players even need more money? Is 3 million in prize money not enough to incentivize them? FWIW, I don't think the Saudi's are interested in grassroots stuff; rather, their goal is to have top names associated with their "brand"

Of course PIF is looking to sportswash. I don't think there's too many who don't know that.

More money is better for everybody as regards earning potential.

My point is that Rory clearly said that with his business hat on, and not his own personal opinion, he thought this.

The comment about his own personal opinion which he never gave us is what I'm pointing out.

He doesn't have enough information and he also needs to talk to his fellow golf professionals before/if he gives his personal opinion.

So they're not inseparable.

Word on Twitter that another big name, recent world No 1 and major winner was about to sign with LIV. They seem to think it was Rahm. Maybe that’s what pushed this deal over the line.

“I’ve come to terms with it. I’ve resigned myself to ... this is what’s going to happen. It’s very hard to keep up with people who have more money than anyone else,” McIlroy said

This says it all to me. He clearly doesn't like it, but he has to live with it now, and I think that is fair enough.

Those who are expecting him to take a solo moral stance on this, are expecting far too much of a pro golfer imho. He is a pro golfer, he has fought the good fight for over 18 months to preserve the PGA. If that organisation (along with the DP tour) now wants to merge/partner with PIF to fund the future of professional golf at that level, then he has to play in that framework if he wants to continue as a pro golfer at the elite level, which he does.

P.s. imho if a 'moral' body want to stop PIF sports washing, then it's up to the US Dept of Justice, UN, Court of Arbitration &/or other bodies to block this form of marketing. It's not right to expect one player to be able to block this flooding river of money on his own (especially so since it would be against his and his fellow (top) pros monetary interest).

By that yardstick, any player betrayed by their league looks extremely foolish. I’m not usually a fan of the Rorystory publicity machine but on this occasion he has been consistent and did what he could to resist the Saudis.

I suppose the great thing in all this is that we'll get the likes of Brooks, Bryson, Phil, DJ Cam Smith, Patrick Reed, Sergio, Lee & Poulter back competing on the PGA tour.

Westwood, Stenson & Poulter can now go on and become Ryder cup captains.

I think the suggestion that Rory (or anyone) should pack it in and/or set up his own tour is for the birds tbh. Why would he or any player do that ? There would be almost no chance of any players joining up, why would they ? They'll now still get to play in most if not all of the existing tournaments and majors and presumably be paid a lot more to do so - its an absolute no brainer for them. I mean, what did people want Rory to say or do yesterday ? Throw the toys out of the pram and go home ? His place of work is changing behind the scenes so he has to deal with it. No one is going to retire in their early 30s because the money they play for has increased and maybe comes from a different bank account than last years.

The re-integration, if and how it happens, of the LIV players will be interesting though. I mean some of them would be questionable enough as regards keeping their cards on the PGAT, particularly some of the older Europeans. I'm thinking the likes of Poulter, Westwood, McDowell, maybe even Stenson and Sergio, or someone like a Pat Perez. Will the likes of Cam Smith lose a year of his exemption for his Open win ? Then again I suppose throw enough money at a problem and it will go away.

Will we see Feherty back on the course ?? 😁