Calls Mount for PGA Tour-PIF Merger Amid Greg Norman’s 2025 Move: ‘Don’t See It Continuing’

Back in June 2023, golf fans were on the edge of their seats as the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded LIV Golf announced they were on the verge of a merger. Everyone thought it was just a matter of time before the two came together under the same umbrella, but as the months dragged on, that “soon” felt more and more like a distant dream. Sure, there were rumors of a deal in the works between the PGA, the Saudi-backed PIF, and the DP World Tour, but the truth is, we’re still waiting for that big move.

Guy Kinnings, the Chief Exec of the DP World Tour, recently spoke up about how frustrating the process has been. In an interview with Today’s Golfer magazine, he mentioned that while they’ve seen a few signs of progress, there are still some important steps to take before anything is final. “We all recognize that the schedules for 2025 won’t look that different,” he said. “But by the time we get to 2026, it would be great to think that people can look at it and go, ‘So that’s what we’ve got in store and isn’t that exciting’. I would love to think that things will be clearer by the end of the year, but we can’t control absolutely everything. I don’t want to set any deadlines that we then fail to make.”

When it comes to the schedule, 2025 is shaping up to be more of the same. The PGA Tour has only four events scheduled outside the U.S. (excluding The Open), while the Greg Norman-led circuit has already announced dates for more than half of its 2025 schedule. LIV’s list includes 10 of its 14 tournaments, with more stops and new locations on the horizon. So while the golf world seems to be holding out for 2026 as the big year of change, it looks like 2025 will still be a lot like today. But LIV? They’re keeping things moving.

With all the talk of mergers, deals, and uncertain timelines, it’s no surprise that fans are feeling a bit torn and impatient. After all, we’ve all been hearing about this potential PGA Tour-PIF deal for months now, and the waiting game is starting to wear thin. o, what do the fans really think about this long-anticipated merger? Well, let’s just say… the reactions are as divided as the golf world itself.

Fans react to LIV-PGA merger with hopes and doubts

With LIV Golf and the PGA Tour still, on separate tracks heading into 2025, fans are split on what LIV’s future looks like. A recent Golf Digest post asked for predictions about LIV in 2025, and, as expected, the responses ranged from funny to skeptical, with a dash of hope for change. One user wrote, “All good and LIV is the thing going forward.” The league’s early 2025 schedule includes events in Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Asia, suggesting a strategy focused on non-U.S. markets. With substantial backing from the Saudi PIF, LIV is positioning itself as a global alternative to the PGA Tour, potentially capturing audiences in regions where American golf hasn’t quite made a mark yet.

On the flip side, some are a bit more doubtful, like one user who said, “Failure as the Saudis will come to realize their investment will not pay off.” The league’s heavy investment in player contracts and lavish events haven’t yet brought in the U.S. viewership or profitability. While LIV remains committed to its growth, some believe the league might struggle to justify its spending if it can’t secure a larger audience or commercial backing, especially if U.S. expansion continues to be limited.

Others are calling for more creativity. One user wrote, “I like LIV Golf …but I don’t see it continuing past 25 unless they get more creative. Night games with glow balls and lights …atmosphere!…..and more interactive online etc …..drones…….they spent everything on the players and now there’s no budget left I suspect.” While LIV’s willingness to experiment with formats and presentations has drawn younger audiences, even supporters are wondering if they’ll lose their edge without fresh ideas

Then there’s the bold prediction like “It will survive but I believe we will see cross-tour participants,” a user wrote. Could this happen? It’s certainly possible that some players might decide to return to the PGA Tour. But, let’s just take it as a fan assumption. Other fans echoed the same sentiment writing, “merges with PGA again” and “Merge or bust.”

So what do you think will be the future of LIV amid this long-standing merger news? Let us know in the comments!