There is a “huge divide” in what Rory McIlroy and PGA want with the LIV deal, golf analyst claims

In June 2023, the LIV Golf and PGA Tour announced that a 'framework agreement' had been reached to merge their business operations after a period of private talks. They initially decided that the deal would be finalised by the end of 2023.

It's been almost 15 months since the deal was announced. However, there has been no update on where things are. Further, the PGA Tour recently announced the 2025 calendar of the year which has brought more apprehensions about the potential merger.

On an episode of the Golf Channel's Golf Podcast with Rex and Lav, the hosts noted that negotiations between the parties have deteriorated in the last two months. Ryan Lavner claimed that there is a significant divide between what Rory McIlroy and the PGA Tour want regarding the proposed deal. He said:

"Nothing has been brought to them over two months. It certainly seems like the tone of conversations has significantly gone worse. It does seem also, Rex, like there is a huge sort of gap or divide in what the PGA Tour is thinking and what the fans—and I think Rory McIlroy and other top players—want." [25:40]

"Because I thought the Bryson DeChambeau U.S. Open win was supposed to be this seminal moment where, look, the PGA Tour desperately needs this guy. Like, we're heading on opposite paths, and that does not do anyone any good, but particularly the fans who are harmed in this sort of situation," he added.

Lavner further said that the PGA Tour has the leverage as golfers' LIV contracts and Major exemptions would expire soon. However, he nonetheless questioned the idea of waiting two or three more years to provide a pathway back for such players.

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Max Homa is 'all for a reconciliation' between LIV Golf and PGA Tour

Max Homa who plays on the PGA Tour recently talked about how his perception of LIV players has changed. Homa who is ranked 19th as per the OWGR said that he still feels that a resolution is distant.

In the 'No Laying Up' podcast with Max Homa, he said:

"I don’t really know good or bad, I just know at best, this isn’t happening soon. That’s a shame... I’m incredibly biased as to who is to blame for that, for the fans, I am. But I am all for a reconciliation. I don’t know what it would look like.

"It’s definitely really complicated, I’ve talked to Jay a lot, I’m on the pack, we’ve talked about it a ton, what would it even look like, and it’s pretty tough to figure it all out, because they all have their own deals and their teams and stuff, so it’s tricky."

Further, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has also shared details about the LIV and PGA Tour merger. He said that discussions between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund, a Saudi Arabian entity which is financially backing LIV Golf, are going on. However, he didn't provide more details of the negotiations.

Both PGA Tour and LIV Golf are towards the end of their 2024 regular seasons. Only one event is left in LIV Golf i.e., Chicago while FedExCup playoffs are already going on in the Tour.