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Tiger Woods releases joint-statement to reveal Donald Trump intervention in golf civil war
Golf leaders have thanked US president Donald Trump for his help in ending the war with LIV Golf, but a deal is still nowhere to be seen. The Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf breakaway league has caused widespread disruption to the sport since its foundation in 2021, luring away PGA Tour stars with big money offers. Golf disruptors LIV are yet to find an agreement but Trump could change thatGetty Major winners like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau were suspended by the PGA Tour, but tensions appeared to have thawed in June 2023 when the two parties announced the framework of a merger. Yet over a year-and-a-half on from that announcement, the latest update comes in the form of a thank you to Trump, and the revelation that the parties are ‘closer to a final deal’. A statement from PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and player directors Adam Scott and Tiger Woods read: “We know golf fans are eagerly anticipating a resolution to negotiations with the [Saudi] Public Investment Fund and want to thank President Trump for his interest and long-time support of the game of golf. “We asked the President to get involved for the good of the game, the good of the country, and for all the countries involved. “We are grateful that his leadership has brought us closer to a final deal, paving the way for reunification of men’s professional golf.” Monahan was speaking after a trip to the White House, with the newly-elected Trump a huge golf fan and owner of multiple courses. He also has business ties with Saudi PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who he was spotted alongside at a UFC bout after winning November’s US election. During his media appearances ahead of that election, Trump said it would take him 15 minutes to end golf’s civil war, and there was hope among the sport’s stars that he wasn’t bluffing. Responding to the comments, Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy said: “He might be able to! “From the outside looking in I think it’s probably a little bit less complicated than it actually is. @NUCLRGOLFTrump was seen with Al-Rumayyan, bringing hope that he could help end golf’s civil war[/caption] Woods was given the Medal of Freedom by Trump after winning the 2019 MastersGetty “Obviously Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia, he’s got a great relationship with golf, he’s a lover of golf, so maybe. Who knows?” After accepting his nomination as US president in November, Trump called up backer DeChambeau onto stage, with the two even playing a round together beforehand on the American’s YouTube channel. Yet in the coming days, Trump will be focusing on another sport – American football. The White House has announced that he is set to attend Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. In making it to the New Orleans finale, he will become the first sitting US president to attend the country’s biggest sporting event.
Golf leaders have thanked US president Donald Trump for his help in ending the war with LIV Golf, but a deal is still nowhere to be seen.
The Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf breakaway league has caused widespread disruption to the sport since its foundation in 2021, luring away PGA Tour stars with big money offers.
Major winners like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau were suspended by the PGA Tour, but tensions appeared to have thawed in June 2023 when the two parties announced the framework of a merger.
Yet over a year-and-a-half on from that announcement, the latest update comes in the form of a thank you to Trump, and the revelation that the parties are ‘closer to a final deal’.
A statement from PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and player directors Adam Scott and Tiger Woods read: “We know golf fans are eagerly anticipating a resolution to negotiations with the [Saudi] Public Investment Fund and want to thank President Trump for his interest and long-time support of the game of golf.
“We asked the President to get involved for the good of the game, the good of the country, and for all the countries involved.
“We are grateful that his leadership has brought us closer to a final deal, paving the way for reunification of men’s professional golf.”
Monahan was speaking after a trip to the White House, with the newly-elected Trump a huge golf fan and owner of multiple courses.
He also has business ties with Saudi PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who he was spotted alongside at a UFC bout after winning November’s US election.
During his media appearances ahead of that election, Trump said it would take him 15 minutes to end golf’s civil war, and there was hope among the sport’s stars that he wasn’t bluffing.
Responding to the comments, Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy said: “He might be able to!
“From the outside looking in I think it’s probably a little bit less complicated than it actually is.
“Obviously Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia, he’s got a great relationship with golf, he’s a lover of golf, so maybe. Who knows?”
After accepting his nomination as US president in November, Trump called up backer DeChambeau onto stage, with the two even playing a round together beforehand on the American’s YouTube channel.
Yet in the coming days, Trump will be focusing on another sport – American football.
The White House has announced that he is set to attend Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
In making it to the New Orleans finale, he will become the first sitting US president to attend the country’s biggest sporting event.
