Over a year has passed since the groundbreaking announcement of a framework agreement between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the DP World Tour, aimed at resolving the internal conflicts within the sport.
Despite the initial excitement and hopes to finalize the deal by the end of 2023, the merger discussions have seen limited progress. Patrick Cantlay, a key player representative on the PGA Tour Policy Board, recently offered insights into the current state of negotiations, emphasizing that the conversations are still active and “always evolving.”
Cantlay, speaking during the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, acknowledged that the frequency of discussions has slowed, with fewer updates emerging in recent months.
He remarked: “There hasn’t been as much chatter the last few months, which has been nice. I think that’s just kind of the nature of it. There’s going to be ebbs and flows, depending on what kind of information comes out or what announcements.”
While not directly involved in the PGA Tour’s transaction subcommittee, which includes prominent figures like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, Cantlay remains optimistic about the eventual outcome.
He expressed confidence that any significant updates would be brought before the board for further discussion. Reflecting on the situation, he noted:
“When you say ‘end in sight,’ it’s always evolving. The PGA Tour has always been changing and trying to evolve and get better.”
Meetings between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf representatives, including a notable one in March following the Players Championship and another in June with PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in New York, have yet to yield a definitive agreement.
However, Cantlay’s comments suggest that the parties involved remain committed to finding a resolution, albeit at a slower pace than initially anticipated.
