DP World Tour pros question ‘boys club’ PGA Tour deal

“Where do we stand in all of this.”

That’s the question being posed by DP World Tour players after the PGA Tour announced it had secured a $3 billion investment from the Strategic Sports Group yesterday.

Englishman Richard Mansell made that query public, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to ask what’s on tour pro minds.

The deal means PGA Tour players are set to benefit from up to $1.5 million in equity shares, as talks with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) ramp up.

Following the news, outgoing DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley sent a memo to its members, offering comfort amidst the uncertainty.

The Canadian claimed the deal “provides the opportunity for unity,” while the announcement gives ‘continued momentum’ to on-going negotiations.

But the fine details still elude DP World Tour pros, who have now made their feelings clear.

• Tiger Woods repsonds to major PGA Tour deal

• Dustin Johnson hits unwanted career milestone

Replying to Mansell on social media, LIV Golf’s Lee Westwood said: “That is an excellent question, Richard.”

More critical was Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, who appeared hopeful at first. That soon turned sour, labelling the agreement another ‘boys club deal’.

“We can confirm that a deal between the PGA Tour and the Strategic Sports group is done,” Larrazabal wrote.

“But where is the DP World tour in the deal? Is it beneficial to us? What is it going to do to us? Well, we will see, I hope.

“The boys club deal again.”

Pelley confirmed that despite investment from SSG, the DP World Tour’s Strategic Alliance with the PGA Tour remains “firmly in place.”

• LIV golfer to play entire 2024 season without a team

• Adrian Meronk joins LIV Golf as final signings announced

As well as prize fund increases across 11 events, the highly contested ‘ten cards initiative’ will still be on offer.

Introduced last season, it handed the top ten finishers on the DP World Tour a PGA Tour card, with Frenchman Matthieu Pavon immediately reaping the reward.

He became the first Frenchman to win on the PGA Tour with a triumph at the Farmers Insurance Open last month, banking almost $1.7 million.

Another player with a foot in both camps is Robert MacIntyre, who has now offered a solution for his former full-time employer given the new deal.

The Scot posted: “Seeing all this chat about a deal being made. If the PIF aren’t involved in the PGA deal, then the DP World Tour have to make some sort of deal with them.

“Only way to make the game move forward is for them to be involved.”

Following the news, the PGA Tour said: “The PGA Tour’s Strategic Alliance with the DP World Tour remains a focus.

“As close partners, the DP World Tour was included in the original framework discussions and agreement announced last year, and the Tour is in active discussions on how to best work together for the continued benefit of all.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.