Three key players are leading the LIV Golf and the PGA Tour merger talk: President Donald Trump, Jay Monahan, and Yasir Al-Rumayyan. If you ask any of the three figures, their first and foremost goals are to unite the golf world and bring together the best golfers on the same platform as many times as possible. But they are not going to allow that by hurting their leagues. And that is the crux of the situation.

Just last week, PIF sent a formal letter to the PGA Tour with a list of demands. The result? Deeming it unsatisfactory, the PGA Tour rejected it. But what would interest you is what was in the proposal. In their proposal, the PIF said that LIV Golf will continue to operate without interruption. In the proposal, besides the demand, PIF suggested that Yasir Al-Rumayaan become co-chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises, a joint venture formed during negotiations. Currently, Joe Gorder serves as the chairman for PGA Tour Enterprises, along with Tiger Woods as vice chairman.

The consequences? The discussions to reunify the sport have stalled. Clearly, it is going nowhere, but Bryson DeChambeau still has faith in Donald Trump’s involvement. Active in Miami for the latest LIV Golf event, DeChambeau talked about Donald Trump’s involvement with the sport on Fox News. He shared that the two have played plenty of golf together and Trump is “such a great ambassador for the game of golf and for diplomacy in general.” He also shared his take on the merger. In February, the three key figures met at the White House to discuss the merger. So, does DeChambeau think it will work? Bryson shared, “At some point, it will get figured out. It’s just gonna take a little bit of time. There are some nuances that are a little difficult, just like in any other deal you’re making, there are always going to be nuances. So, he’s trying to figure it out. He will do a good job.” Dechambeau, knowing the 47th POTUS for quite some time now, believes in his influence, as even Jay Monahan himself also believes that Trump being a “lifelong golf fan” makes him dependable in making sure this merger sooner or later comes through.

However, to be a success, it is also important that both leagues are on equal footing and agreeable. Additionally, LIV Golf’s offer didn’t come without a little monetary bargain – in return for LIV’s continued operation and Al-Rumayyan’s co-chairmanship, the PIF offered to invest $1.5 billion in PGA Tour Enterprises. It matched a previous pledge from Strategic Sports Group, a U.S. firm. However, it was rejected. The reason? Well, it likely means that LIV Golf’s ongoing operations do not align with the Tour’s plans.

Despite this, President Donald Trump was present at Doral Golf Club. Interestingly, Trump has been present at LIV events plenty of times, but the 2025 Miami event is the first time he’s present as the president. He even attended a charity dinner with the LIV golfers. Winning their trust? Yes. Is it a good thing? Maybe. And Donald Trump seems hopeful.

Donald Trump is hopeful despite the recent $1.5 billion setback

President Donald Trump seemed to have heard of the latest setback. Talking about it, Trump said to reporters on board Air Force One, “Ultimately, hopefully, the two tours are going to merge. That’ll be good. I’m involved in that too, but hopefully, we’re going to get the two tours to merge. You’ve got the PGA Tour, you’ve got the LIV Tour. And I think having them merge would be a great thing.” Trump added that seeing them together would be good. That is true, without a doubt. Having attended several LIV events, Donald Trump also gave his recent verdict on a few LIV golfers–namely Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, and Dustin Johnson. The President called them “some of the best players in the world.” No wonder he is as eager as us to reunite the golf world!

However, the question is: when will that happen? Or, if it will happen at all. And that is one glaring question, considering the kind of “hurdle” the merger talk is facing. According to the sources, the new merger hurdle is the number of circuits for men’s professional golf. The PGA Tour aims to have a single premier circuit, while PIF desires to maintain two separate leagues.

Undoubtedly, Bryson DeChambeau’s faith in the President’s involvement is quite unshakable. However, despite this, the reality isn’t as positive. The PGA Tour considers the continuation of the LIV Golf in its current form unacceptable, as it prefers a unified circuit featuring the top golfers. Despite LIV Golf’s insistence, the Tour has proposed solutions that might incorporate elements of LIV Golf into future schedules, such as hosting team competitions at international venues during the fall. But for Scott O’Neil, that isn’t a solution.

Despite not being present during these talks, Scott O’Neil has said that he will back off the deal if it threatens LIV Golf’s foundation. And, team competition is important to LIV Golf. O’Neil said in Miami, “Do we have to do a deal? No. Is it nice to do a deal? So long as we’re all focused on the same thing, to grow the game of golf.” Will it ever get resolved, ever? We will see.