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Davis Love III was one of the fiercest critics of LIV Golf – but he is now calling for patience from PGA Tour players following the so-called merger with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund bankrolling the series.
Love, a five-time PGA Tour policy board member, has written an open letter to the circuit’s members and commissioner Jay Monahan following the bombshell news of a framework agreement between the sport’s warring factions.
Before temporarily stepping down from his role for medical reasons, Monahan thrashed out a top-secret truce deal with LIV chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan which will see the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) join forces as a new for-profit commercial entity.
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The ambiguous announcement on June 6 has prompted more questions than answers, with players in the dark over what the deal means for the long-term future of golf at the highest level.
But Love has urged players to remain calm in his open letter as players wait on more concrete details to emerge.
“Our three commissioners have one critical, common trait: the unwavering goal of basing all decisions on what’s best for the players, sponsors, loyal fans and the game, as well as generating millions of dollars for charity,’’ he wrote.
Five-time policy board member Davis Love III calls for
patience in open letter to PGA Tour commissioner and membership. pic.twitter.com/qThXhLNqxR— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) June 20, 2023
“This growth has only been possible because our commissioners and the Independent Board Directors have always guided us to sound business decisions, and player input has been central to those decisions, as the Player Directors have an equal voice and votes, to approve or deny our path forward.’’
“I am confident and trust that any decisions – in the future as in the past – will have the same due process and player input. Jay, as you have said, Rules made by the Players, for the Players. If we are patient and work together, we will achieve the best result for our Tour, and our partners and fans,” Love wrote. “As always, you, the players and the Policy Board have my full support.”
Love’s statement to players comes under 12 months after he said they were “fed up” with the LIV breakaway that was dividing the men’s professional game.
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As Presidents Cup captain last year, Love suggested PGA Tour players could take the “nuclear option” and boycott events if LIV players were able to challenge their indefinite bans and return to the circuit.
“We understand that we make the rules on the PGA Tour and the commissioner is enforcing our rules and we don’t want those guys playing, coming and cherry-picking our tournaments,” he had claimed.
But under the new agreement, LIV players will have the option to re-apply for membership with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour following the end of the 2023 season. It remains to be seen, however, whether the path back to the traditional circuits will be so straightforward.
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