LOS ANGELES — Uncertainty and controversy over a possible merger with Saudi Arabian backers LIV Golf looms over the U.S.-based PGA Tour as its 2024 season begins Jan. 4 in Hawaii.
The PGA Tournament of Champions, now called The Sentry, will once again be played at Kapalua, this time in support of host Maui, devastated by wildfires, following the tragedy in August 2023.
A field of 59 will compete in the US$20 million (S$26.5 million) opening match, with four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy the only qualified player to skip the event to begin his 2024 campaign more late.
Even if the PGA Tour returns to a calendar year format, the impact of the shock announcement in June 2023 of a master merger agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and DP World Tour focuses on the series.
Reigning US Masters champion Jon Rahm of Spain, who won the 2023 Kapalua crown, will not defend his title, having moved to LIV in December 2023 for rich financial guarantees.
That indicates the upstart series can drain top talent from the PGA ahead of LIV’s season opener in February at Mayakoba in Mexico and Las Vegas, during Super Bowl week there.
Negotiations between PGA and PIF officials have passed an initial Dec. 31 deadline and no details have yet been revealed on plans for what a PGA-LIV structure would entail, even as the rivals plan 2024 seasons separated.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, criticized by players for keeping details of LIV merger negotiations secret, said in a memo to players Dec. 31 that talks were “active and productive” and that the PGA was trying to extend negotiations until 2024.
Three of the last five major winners are now with LIV Golf – Rahm, 2023 PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka and 2022 British Open winner Cameron Smith – although his lack of world ranking points means fewer LIV golfers qualify for the Majors.
For now, the only events the LIV and PGA rivals will face off at are the 2024 Majors: the Masters April 11-14 at Augusta National, the PGA Championship at Valhalla May 16-19, the US Open from June 13 to 16 at Pinehurst. and the British Open at Royal Troon from July 18-21.
Tiger Woods, a 15-time major winner and member of the PGA Tour’s policy council that must approve any LIV deal, said in December that he was “pleased with the process and the way it has evolved” in negotiations. of the PIF, but frustrated by its slowness.
When asked how a merged PGA-LIV series would work, he said “the answer is murky,” citing a lot of possibilities and trying to figure out what works best for players.
“I am confident that a deal will be reached one way or another,” he added. ” We work together. We’re trying to get a deal done for the tour and for all parties involved.
Until then, the PGA Tour’s revamped 2024 schedule includes eight marquee tournaments on a 36-event schedule culminating in the FedExCup play-offs that conclude on September 1.
Other marquee events include Pebble Beach, the Genesis Invitational, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Heritage, the Wells Fargo Championship, the Memorial Tournament and the Travelers Championship. AFP
