Having Attracted Bitterness for the Billion Dollar Merger, LIV Golf and PGA Tour Find an Ally in LPGA Legend

The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican was named after legendary golfer Annika Sorenstam to show respect and honor for her fabulous career. She is only the third female golfer in the world on the LPGA circuit to surpass the 70 threshold of victories.

Sorenstam has worked a lot to grow women’s golf and her career is evidence of that. Recently, she appeared on a podcast by Bloomberg. The prominent Swedish golfer talked about the PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger and what she expects out of it.

Annika Sorenstam shares her stance on the infamous merger of the golf world

With 72 LPGA wins and 10x Majors in her bag, Annika Sorenstam is one of the best female golfers in the world. So, when LPGA decided to name their penultimate event before the championship by her name, it made sense. The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican was given its name for the first time this year.

It was one of the three events organized by Gainbridge for the Parity Week. The event was a success, and it also had the second-highest prize money after the Majors and the year-end championship of $3.25 million. Sorenstam made an appearance on the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast. While talking about women’s golf, the biggest merger of golf found its way into the conversation.

The hosts asked Sorenstam for her opinion on the merger of PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf. The news of the merger has left a bitter taste for golfers like Rory McIlroy, Adam Hadwin, Michael Kim, and more. However, the Swedish golfer had a different stance than her male counterparts. She answered the “billion dollar question” by saying, “I would say that money into the game is a good thing.”

Moreover, she wished that investments after the finalization of the merger hopefully “trickle into the LPGA.” She also remarked that right now, “golf is healthy.” The merger is nowhere near finalization and the deadline of December 31 is getting closer. Meanwhile, the rumors of PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan backtracking have caught fire.

LIV Golf and PGA Tour may not come to life

The notorious merger was announced in June 2023, which shocked PGA Tour supporters. The talks between the parties seemed to be going fine, However, as the deadline nears, there is no definite news as of now.

Read More: Despite Taking Up Challenge Against Her Idol Tiger Woods, Are There Any Hopes for Nelly Korda on LPGA This Season?

Controversial writer Alan Shipnuck shared on X why that may have been the case. According to the author, to combat the PIF (Public Investment Fund) as investors, the Fenway Sports Group has come out with a bigger bid for investment in the PGA Tour.

This collaboration between the PGA Tour and Fenway has the potential of once again pitting the two leagues against each other. What do you think will be the result?

Watch this Story: As PGA Tour Embraces Tiger Woods’ TGL, Does Jay Monahan Plan to Steal a Page From His Book?