ATLANTA — PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan once again did not provide a specific update on the PGA Tour's ongoing negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund that provides funding for LIV Golf.
But Monahan insists both sides are at the negotiating table and actively discussing the matter, adding that he remains hopeful of an outcome — a sentiment that has rang true since the two sides shocked the world on June 6, 2023, when they announced the deal.
“We've got the right people at the table with the right mindset. I see that in all of these conversations and it's on both sides. It creates optimism about the future and our ability to come together. But at the same time, these conversations are complicated. It's going to take time. It has taken time and it will continue to take time,” Monahan said Tuesday in Atlanta ahead of the Tour Championship.
“As I sit here today, I believe the most important thing for us and our obligation to our fans, players and partners is to focus on the things that we have control over, and we are doing that. But I'm not going to publicly negotiate details or disclose any specifics or specifics. All I can say is that the discussions are continuing and they are productive.”
How many times have you heard this in the last 14 months?
“We are not going to negotiate in public.”
To say the least, a tour that involves an agreement with a foreign government with a controversial history is unprecedented and complicated.
But the Commissioner could not even provide a deadline for when professional golf would come together again – a significant departure from the original “deadline” of December 31, 2023, set in the original framework agreement on that shock Tuesday in June.
“We don't want to limit ourselves like that,” Monahan said.
“We want to achieve the best and right outcome at the right time.”
Have you seen any cult classics? Groundhog DayMonahan's comments about Saudi Arabia's PIF are beginning to feel just like that: He's repeating the same rhetoric over and over again.
“Priority [of striking a deal] “It's strengthened. It's stronger. It's a direct result of the dialogue and the conversations and starting to talk about the future, the future product vision and where we can take our sport,” Monahan added.
“I think having a productive conversation increases the likelihood of a positive outcome and the spirit of the conversation itself. I think that's where we are right now.”
What does that mean?
Either way, only a handful of people really know, so it's anybody's guess when the golf world will find out its long-awaited end to the game's great divide.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
