Keith Pelley responds to $3bn PGA Tour deal

The PGA Tour ended January with a historic deal, partnering with the Strategic Sports Group (SSG).

The consortium of investors and sports franchise owners will invest around $3 billion, amid ongoing negotiations with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

It will result in the launch of PGA Tour Enterprises, a commercial venture under PGA Tour control, where players will have equity in the new company.

That is a first in the PGA Tour’s history, although uncertainty on this side of the Atlantic remains over where it has left the DP World Tour.

After the agreement was announced, outgoing DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley sent a letter to its members, hoping to provide some clarity.

• LIV golfer to play entire 2024 season without a team

• Adrian Meronk joins LIV Golf as final signings announced

Before outlining some thoughts, Pelley claimed the deal “provides the opportunity for unity,” as the game of golf is ‘changing’.

“Negotiations involving ourselves, the PGA Tour and the PIF are still on-going, and I believe this announcement gives continued momentum to those discussions as well as being an important step to possible overall alignments between all four entities, SSG included,” he explained.

“Such global focus… is crucial to the forward momentum of the game and it is important that this latest entrant into our sport has this as part of their thinking.”

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

That means the commitment to award a PGA Tour card to the ten best performing players will continue.

• Former major champ slams ‘jerk’ Greg Norman

• Dustin Johnson hits unwanted career milestone

Players were handed a boost in the memo, as Pelley outlined the importance of maximising members’ playing opportunities and earning potentials.

Prize fund increases across 11 DP World Tour events ensures that the tour has a guaranteed $148.5 million total prize fund.

However, talks between the DP World Tour and PIF rumble on. Reiterating the importance of a ‘global focus’ comes on the back of Rory McIlroy’s comments last month.

Pelley responded to the world No. 2’s comments in early January, stating: “I think the growth of the game is global. That’s where the focus needs to be.”

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.