“Is it necessary that there is a merger?” Many would have asked this question amid the ever-increasing delay of the framework agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF. Even Phil Mickelson had asked the same in an interview he did a while back. And now, after the recent interview by commissioner Jay Monahan, one can’t help but wonder if the deal between the PGA Tour and PIF has already broken down.

The 54-year-old official had, in a recent interview ahead of the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship, announced the new schedule for the 2025 season, per Sports Illustrated. Consequently, a reporter couldn’t help but ask if the revelation indicates that the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will work separately in the coming year. His reply? “I think that’s fair.”

That’s not all. He also pointed out how “complicated” the discussions are. “There’s a lot of elements to them,” added an expectant Jay Monahan, “When you have the level of interaction, we’re continuing to meet and move forward and discuss and debate, you can’t be anything but hopeful.” Well, his recent revelations indicating his hopefulness sure do paint a concerning picture for the merger.

On the other hand, even Phil Mickelson had his own doubts about the necessity of the merger. The ‘Lefty’, in an interview with Bloomberg, expressed his doubts about the framework agreement. “Probably not,” replied the golfer as he replied to his own question. However, he was expecting the two circuits to be amicable with each other. “It would be a good thing if there was not any hostility,” mentioned the 6-time major champ. “I need to let go of all of those experiences I have had in the past that were less than positive. I need to let go of my hostilities, and we all do for the better of the game.”

Regardless of Phil Mickelson’s wishes, the merger seems to be happening. It’s just that the whole process will take more time. “I have a lot of meetings on the subject,” divulged Monahan, “I’m not going to get into the specifics of it. It’s a clear focus of mine, it’s a clear focus of the organization. That said, there is a lot of dialogue.” But then again, the question arises: why is there such an excruciating delay? Well, Max Homa has the answer to that!

Max Homa divulges his take on the PGA Tour-PIF merger delay

“It’s far away because of, like, the law, like the courts, like the cases,” said Homa in a recent podcast episode of No Laying Up, “So I think that’ll be a hurdle.” While the ‘framework agreement’ that was announced does set forth how governance and control rights should go about, it failed to address the U.S. regulatory issues that should be adhered to in case the deal does happen.

The PGA Tour Pro, thus, was sure of there being a bit of a delay when it came to the merger. “I don’t really know good or bad,” added the golfer, “I just know that, like, if, like, at best, this isn’t happening exactly soon, and that’s a shame.” Moreover, the format of the two leagues being different, with one boasting the presence of teams, makes it all the harder for the deal; “It’s pretty tough to, like, figure it out, because they all have their own deals. And. Their teams and stuff.”

While the merger isn’t exactly dead in the water, it doesn’t take much to realize that it won’t take place anytime soon. That, in itself, is a concerning aspect since it has been a year since the ‘framework agreement’ was announced by the commissioner of the PGA Tour. Nevertheless, the fans can only hope for the best and watch patiently!