Trump Enters PGA Tour-LIV Golf Merger Talks—Is A Deal Getting Closer?
PGA Tour leaders turn to Donald Trump for help. Can his influence push the PGA-LIV Golf merger across the line?
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott met with President Donald Trump at the White House this week, adding another twist to the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and LIV Golf.
The meeting details remain under wraps, but one thing is clear: more than a year after Monahan announced a potential merger, the deal is still in limbo. Monahan and Scott, along with Tiger Woods, released a joint statement confirming the meeting, though it’s uncertain whether Woods was actually present in Washington, D.C.
“We know golf fans are eagerly anticipating a resolution to negotiations with the Public Investment Fund and want to thank President Trump for his interest and long-time support of the game of golf,” the statement read.
“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.”
Trump, a longtime golf enthusiast, has never been shy about his views on the sport’s biggest shake-up in decades. He previously claimed he could broker a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf “in the better part of 15 minutes,” a bold statement given how slowly negotiations have progressed. His involvement is particularly interesting given his personal ties to LIV Golf—his Florida course is set to host a LIV event in April, and he’s been a regular presence at their tournaments.
While it’s impossible to say whether Trump’s influence will push the merger across the finish line, some players are at least hopeful that progress is being made. Justin Thomas, a member of the PGA Tour’s 2025 Player Advisory Council, offered a cautiously optimistic take when asked about the situation at the WM Phoenix Open.
“I think so,” Thomas said when asked if things seem to be moving in the right direction. “I hope so. Yeah, I hope it does.”
For now, the waiting game continues. With the LIV Golf season already underway and major championships around the corner, the pressure to finalize an agreement is only growing. Whether Trump’s involvement speeds things up or just adds another layer of complexity remains to be seen.
In other news.
For the first time, LIV Golf players now have a direct path to the U.S. Open. The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced on Wednesday that competitors from the Saudi-backed tour will be eligible for exemptions in the 2025 tournament, marking a significant shift in major championship qualification.
The exemption will be granted to the top-ranked LIV Golf player who is not already qualified, provided they are within the top three of the LIV Golf Individual Standings as of May 19. Additionally, the top 10 players in the standings as of April 7 will receive local exemptions, offering multiple entry opportunities for LIV golfers.
Some high-profile LIV players, including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Richard Bland, Cameron Smith, and Phil Mickelson, have already secured exemptions and will compete at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania from June 12-15.
Looking ahead to 2026, the USGA has also confirmed that exemptions will continue. The leading player in the final 2025 LIV Individual Standings and the leader as of May 18 will earn direct qualification to the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York.
John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer, emphasized that the decision aligns with the organization’s commitment to ensuring the best players have a chance to compete.
"The USGA continues to evaluate the pathways that exist to ensure those playing their best have the opportunity to compete in our national championship," Bodenhamer said. "Consistent with our historical approach, we continuously assess talent levels on professional tours and in amateur events, which has led us to add this new exemption category."
The U.S. Open currently offers 25 exemption categories, covering past champions, winners of key amateur events, and recent Masters winners. The inclusion of a direct path for LIV Golf players is a major recognition of the tour’s growing presence in the professional golf landscape.
Thanks for reading, David Skilling.