Just when the golf community thought that the golf world would unite and become one, the merger talks have again taken a different turn. The merger was finally heading towards completion ever since Greg Norman stepped down, making it a dream come true for golf fans and players. Certain players even openly supported the whole idea. Even Rory McIlroy had a change of heart regarding the merger and was in complete favor of it. Additionally, Tiger Woods was paying a visit to Donald Trump, and the community assumed it was to discuss the next step in the conversation.

Woods was not the only one who sought guidance from the 47th POTUS. The PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan & Adam Scott also visited the White House to lay their proposal. In fact, the PGA Tour also released a statement to confirm the interaction. Jay Monahan said, “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.”

Yet, after so many efforts, now it seems that the deal might not go through. There are three primary reasons that indicate the reason as to why. Let’s explore them.

Rory McIlroy questions the need for a merger

Rory McIlroy’s stance on the subject seems to have changed once again. The Irishman was asked about the need for the merger in a press conference prior to the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2025. That’s when he said, “I think the narrative around golf, I wouldn’t say needs a deal, I think the narrative around golf would welcome a deal in terms of just having all the best players together again”. McIlroy believes that having the best golfers in the world under the same roof more frequently is the only positive to come out of the merger.

The 27x PGA Tour winner further added, “But I don’t think the PGA Tour needs a deal. I think the momentum is pretty strong. TV’s been good, TGL’s been hopefully pretty additive to the overall situation. I answered this question at Torrey Pines two weeks ago, before, you know, the landscape might have looked a little different than it does now over these past couple of weeks, and I think a deal would still be the ideal scenario for golf as a whole. But from a pure PGA Tour perspective, I don’t think it necessarily needs it”. McIlroy has taken the game of golf and the PGA Tour into account and provided two different perspectives. For a fact, the Tour is doing well without some of the golfers at the Saudi-based promotion. It shouldn’t be dependent on the merger for anything. And Rory McIlroy is not the only one who shares such views. His fellow PGA Tour pro also had something similar to say about the merger.

Jay Monahan’s right hand man at the White House speaks his mind

Adam Scott may have accompanied Jay Monahan to the White House, but that doesn’t mean he is in favor of the merger. Jason Sobel asked Scott, “Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?”, during the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The journalist was questioning the situation of the merger. Scott replied, “Absolutely. The game of golf is going to survive through everything. It always does. The PGA TOUR, regardless of any outcome with PIF, is going to be in a great spot.”

He further added, “I feel like there have been some changes over the last couple of years. I still think it’s too early to really judge them. Although, I think it’s going positively. I think it’s going to hold the Tour in good stead, no matter what happens going forward”. The PGA Tour pro is probably talking about the progressive changes Jay Monahan & Co. have been making to make the product more appealing to the fans. The change in the calendar season of the Tour has certainly made it easier to follow. The recent introduction of enforcing a better pace of play has also had its effect as all the players are indeed sticking to the new regulations. Over time, the game would certainly become far more entertaining. There also seems to be a certain resistance from LIV Golf and its players regarding the merger. Let’s explore a great example of the same.

Bryson DeChambeau’s insistence to commit to LIV Golf despite progressive merger talks

Bryson DeChambeau has time and again shown his undeniable loyalty to LIV Golf. The Saudi-based promotion has enabled the mad scientist to perform at the highest level while also indulging in the other aspects of his life. Moreover, DeChambeau is making big bucks while doing so, thanks to his lucrative contract with LIV Golf. So when he was asked for his opinion about players wanting to go back to the PGA Tour, he replied, “I’m very excited about the future of LIV Golf”.

In the pre-tournament press conference for LIV Golf Hong Kong 2025, he also said, “I’m very excited to be the captain of the Crushers and continue our legacy that we’re starting to create. That’s my goal is to create this lasting legacy where we impact millions and millions of golfers’ lives around the world”. DeChambeau doesn’t seem to be fazed by everything that going around him as he is adamant on sticking it through with LIV Golf. He also shared how he is prepared for the upcoming Masters Tournament and is going in with the intent to win the green jacket.

Having some of the biggest names in either of the franchises release such statements is a cause of concern for the merger conversation. This forces the community to question, is the PIF-PGA Tour merger cancelled? Or are these players just expressing their distaste for it when it actually happens? Have Tiger Woods‘s efforts & Jay Monahan’s visit been in vain? We will only know in time.

Either way, the PIF-PGA Tour merger is not as widely accepted as it was once thought to be. Wouldn’t you agree?