Is PGA Tour-LIV Golf Merger Good For Game of Golf? Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els and Other Legends Reveal Their Verdict

In a few days, the men’s golf world might experience a momentous change in the men’s golf world. The $3 billion merger deadline is fast approaching. However, the proposed merger has always had a “will they, won’t they? ” vibe to it. In the brief period of six months since its announcement, there has been a DOJ investigation and a Senate hearing for the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger.

Naturally, the patience of many players is waning due to the uncertainty and ambiguity that has surrounded the merger from day one. But what do golfing legends think about the merger? Stars like Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els, and many others have given their verdict on the merger. And they have mixed reactions to it.

Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo wholeheartedly support the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger

The merger was disapproved vehemently by many PGA Tour Players. But the Golden Bear had some different views regarding the same. According to the 73-time PGA Tour winner, the merger will be beneficial in the long run. He is one of the few stars who have supported this merger since the day it was announced. When the merger was announced in June, Nicklaus said he spoke with Jay Monahan about it and agreed “This is good for the game of golf.”

Nicklaus’ feelings about the merger are also replicated by retired English golfer Nick Faldo. Even though the 30-time European Tour winner has been a vocal critic of LIV Golf. When asked about the PGA-PIF merger the veteran golfer, to everyone’s surprise, did not criticize the merger. In an interview with ESPN, he said, “I think when the dust settles, whether it takes six months, a year, whatever, my goodness, pro golf is in an overall better position financially than we were back in the day.”

While Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo had a more accepting and welcoming stance on the merger, some golfing legends are strictly against it. Among them, Ernie Els has emerged as the one who condemned the merger the most.

Golf legends against the merger

The thing Els is upset about the most is keeping the merger in the dark. The 19-time PGA Tour winner said, “I was very upset with how the whole thing went down without anybody knowing.” He previously also shared his thoughts on LIV Golf calling it circus golf” and rejected the idea of the merger.

Read More: 2023 LIV Golf Update: Has the PIF and PGA Tour Merger Date Shifted?

Legendary golfer Gary Player also has a different set of issues concerning the merger and believes the government should not get involved in sports. “Let sports bodies stick to sports and politicians should stick to politics,” he said. The @9-times PGA Tour winner, Lee Trevino believes the said merger will lead to PIF having more control over the PGA Tour, eventually. What actually will happen after the merger is still up in the air. Let us know your thoughts about the merger in the comments below.

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