The world golf landscape underwent a massive change Tuesday when the PGA Tour shockingly announced that it would be merging with LIV Golf and the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The announcement came after years of fighting between the rival organizations that created a schism between the best golfers on the planet. Some chose to remain loyal to the PGA Tour while others took nine-figure payouts to join LIV Golf.
But now, the organizations will fall under the same umbrella, giving some a sense of relief and others one of chagrin.
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You can count Jack Nicklaus among those relieved that golf’s civil war has come to an end. Many were wondering exactly what the 83-year-old legend would think of the deal. After all, he was among the founding fathers of the PGA Tour, so his opinion of commissioner Jay Monahan’s decision was expected to carry weight.
While Nicklaus was hopeful more details about the arrangement would be available soon, he seemed content that the world’s best players would be reunited under the same organization once again.
“The last three years have been difficult for the game and the players,” Nicklaus told the Palm Beach Post. “I spoke with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan this morning. He seemed pleased with the arrangement that will once again bring together the best players in the world. I agree that this is good for the game of golf.
“I also appreciate the commissioner’s comments about continuing the tradition of the Tour and the mission to support important charitable causes. I am certainly interested in seeing the details. Jay indicated that this all will happen in 2024, so very soon the proof will be in the pudding. Whatever is best for the game of golf enjoys my full support.”
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It shouldn’t be a surprise that Nicklaus remains optimistic about the PGA Tour. He has always been one of its staunch defenders given his role in creating it.
That said, his comments about the LIV players potentially returning were certainly a departure from the ones he made at the Memorial Tournament last week, which was contested at his Muirfield Village course in Dublin, Ohio.
“I don’t even consider those guys part of the game anymore,” he said of the LIV golfers at the Memorial Tournament. “I don’t mean that in a nasty way. This is a PGA Tour event, and we have the best field we can possibly have for a PGA Tour event for those who are eligible to be here. The other guys made a choice of what they did and where they’ve gone and we don’t even talk about it.”
“There were certain players that it was probably the right thing for,” he added. “It probably spurred the PGA Tour, I don’t think there’s any question about that, either, to move it to greater heights. But it wasn’t for me, it wasn’t for what my legacy was. Obviously, I pretty much started what the tour is out here.”
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Certainly, Nicklaus never completely buried the LIV golfers. He was even open about the fact that LIV Golf recruited him to serve in the organization’s figurehead role, which ultimately went to Greg Norman.
So, perhaps the Golden Bear was hoping a reunion was possible in the background after all.
Nicklaus is one of many to comment on the controversial merger, which has drawn strong reactions from Rory McIlroy and other members of the PGA Tour. It will be interesting to see how Monahan, the tour and the golf world in general navigate what is bound to be a turbulent time as the 2022-23 PGA Tour season continues.