One topic has dominated the golf world, for more than a year now: the merger between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Originally slated for completion by December 31, 2023, the deal, which first came to light in July 2023, has yet to find its footing. Amid this, the prestigious US Women’s Open 2024 is underway, starting on May 30 and ending on June 2.

The LPGA Tour star and World No. 1 Nelly Korda has evoked a sense of relief for the investment fund. The reason for this stance is the news of her playing in a tournament that is funded by the PIF. Will she become the bridge between the merger and bring a glimmer of hope?

Can Nelly Corda’s move add a spark to kickstart the PGA and PIF merger?

As per the latest reports, Nelly Corda is scheduled to compete in the Aramco Team Series tournament at the Centurion Club, England, presented by PIF-London. The tournament starts from July 3rd to July 5th, 2024. The lady sensation will hope to defend her title, in which she came out victorious last year, by scoring 11 under 208. Korda won the $500,000 pot by beating Charley Hull with a 4-stroke lead. 

She has made a name for herself after securing 6 titles, as of May this year. Her participation in the PIF-sponsored competition shows her mindset to play golf as a game, and not something which can be divided for self-interest. This might signal a sense of unity the LPGA and LET tours hold when it comes to their investor relations. Which at present is missing when it comes to PGA-PIF.

The Aramco Team Series where she is going to compete is part of the Ladies European Tour, first played in 2020. Some LPGA players already participate in the Ladies European Tour, which receives Saudi funding, including Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko. 

The relationship between the LET and the LPGA is far less contentious than that between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The scrutiny between the Jay Monahan-led PGA Tour and Greg Norman’s LIV is a growing concern. The two became arch-rivals after legendary players like Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, and more left the PGA Tour for the PIF-backed league in 2023.

What future holds for the $3 billion merger

Guy Kinnings, the DP World Tour CEO, signaled that it might take two more years to reach a breakthrough. The report by the New York Times in mid-May 2024 hinted that negotiations are still alive. It says that the two sides have exchanged term sheets, which could see a potential $1.5 billion investment by the PIF into PGA Tour Enterprises. This would equal a comparable contribution from American investors. 

To make professional golf ‘whole again’, only this merger has the potential to do so. Despite the ongoing adversity in the golfing world, Nelly Korda, the golfer ladies, and LPGA remain committed to growing their own tour and collaborating with global partners to elevate opportunities for women in golf.