Jay Monahan: Trump’s involvement strengthens PGA-LIV talks

Hopes for a reunification of professional golf have gained momentum following Donald Trump’s involvement in negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, according to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. Despite progress, key obstacles still stand in the way of a final agreement.

Speaking ahead of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Monahan acknowledged that Trump’s role as a facilitator has provided a major boost to the ongoing discussions. The former U.S. president has hosted two rounds of talks at the White House, bringing together PGA Tour executives and LIV Golf’s Saudi-backed leadership in an effort to mend the sport’s divide.

“Those talks have been significantly bolstered by President Trump’s willingness to serve as a facilitator,” Monahan said Tuesday. “He is a lifelong golf fan who understands the game’s power and potential. His involvement has made the prospect of reunification very real.”

Deal Still Faces Key Hurdles
Despite the optimism, Monahan cautioned that while some roadblocks have been cleared, others remain, though he declined to specify the sticking points.

Speculation suggests one key issue could be the fundamental format differences between the two tours—LIV Golf’s 54-hole, shotgun-start events versus the PGA Tour’s traditional 72-hole tournaments played at historic venues.

“If you’re a player anywhere in the world, this is the platform you want to get to,” Monahan said. “These tournaments are 72-hole stroke play events at iconic venues… That’s who we are as an organization, and that’s who we’ll always be.”

A Path to Unity?
While Monahan made it clear that any agreement would not compromise the PGA Tour’s identity, he also suggested there could be room for elements of LIV Golf’s model to be integrated into the sport’s future.

He also acknowledged his growing relationship with LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, even floating the possibility that Al-Rumayyan could eventually hold a position on the PGA Tour board as part of a deal to “move the global game forward.”

“Our team is fully committed to reunification,” Monahan stated. “The only deal we would regret is one that compromises the essence of what makes the game of golf and the PGA Tour so exceptional.”

Players Growing Weary of the Divide
While negotiations continue behind closed doors, many of the game’s top players are eager to put the saga behind them.

Justin Thomas, a two-time major champion, expressed frustration at the ongoing uncertainty, admitting that the drawn-out process has taken a toll.

“I think this is the third time I’ve played this tournament while this has been going on in some way, shape, or form,” Thomas said. “We’re past the level of exhaustion… we all just want it to be done sooner rather than later.”

For now, golf’s four major championships remain the only battlegrounds where PGA Tour and LIV Golf players compete against each other. Monahan emphasized that fans want to see the best players together more often, and finding a way to make that happen remains a central focus of discussions.

While Trump’s influence has helped drive the conversation forward, the question remains: Can the two sides find a compromise that preserves the essence of the PGA Tour while allowing for LIV’s team-based innovations? The answer may ultimately determine whether golf’s fractured landscape can truly be repaired.

Photo – The Florida Times