PGA Tour stars set to meet LIV Golf chief: The key details

The dust is settling on an epic PLAYERS Championship, but arguably the most important events are still about to unfold at Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida. 

That is because a group of PGA Tour players have agreed to meet officials from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund near Sawgrass HQ on Monday in a significant step to end golf’s civil war.

The landmark gathering is set to take place at a private residence near the famous Stadium Course, where Scottie Scheffler became the first player to defend his PLAYERS title in the event’s 50-year history.

Here’s everything we know…

Why is the meeting taking place?

A report emerged from Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch on Friday that PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan was prepared to sit down with the player directors on the PGA Tour policy board.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed in his pre-tournament address that he had met the Al-Rumayyan, who is chairman of the rival LIV Golf series.

Monahan claimed talks are “accelerating” with PIF over a deal to unify the game after the shock framework agreement which was announced nine months ago.

But, as of yet, the players have not been involved in such discussions. And now, for the first time, they will hear PIF’s plans to work alongside the US circuit.

Who will attend?

Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott have both confirmed that the six players on the PGA Tour’s policy board have been encouraged to meet with Al-Rumayyan for face-to-face talks. The other members on the board include Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson, Peter Malnati and Tiger Woods.

Will Tiger Woods be there?

The expectation is that Woods will be in attendance as a player-director, but that has not yet been confirmed. All six members of the board have been invited to the talks, and Woods’ voice is viewed as crucial in shaping the future direction of the Tour.

“I mean, he’s a player director, he’s on the board, so absolutely he needs to be involved,” Rory McIlroy said.

• McIlroy hits out at LIV Golf and Greg Norman (again)

• “He’s full of it!” – Jimmy Walker sounds off on Jay Monahan

What have the players said?

Rory McIlroy: I think it should have happened months ago, so I am glad that it’s ­happening. Hopefully, that progresses conversations and gets us closer to a solution. I have spent time with Yasir. The people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice, so Norman and those guys. I see the two entities and I actually think there’s a really big disconnect between PIF and LIV. I think you got PIF over here and LIV are sort of over here doing their own thing. So the closer that we can get to Yasir, PIF and hopefully finalise that investment, I think that will be a really good thing.

Patrick Cantlay: I imagine I’ll do a lot more listening than talking. I’m excited to hear what I will learn and I’ll have a lot more information after. I’ve got to hear out what they have to say and I will always do my best to represent the entire membership whenever I am in a meeting in that capacity. My role is always to represent the entire membership to the best of my ability. If there’s a deal that could be struck that’s in the best interest of the entire membership, I’m all for it. And, if there’s not, there’s not.

Peter Malnati: It is essential. I think there are players who have resistance to that relationship, for sure. So that’s why I do think it’s important that our next step is to meet.

Jordan Spieth: I think [it] is probably a good thing that the entire board should [meet] if there’s going to be any potential for a negotiation.

Adam Scott: Ultimately the players are some of the vote going into whether a deal will happen or not, just like it was with SSG [Strategic Sports Group who invested $1.5bn in Tour]. With the seriousness of what we’re voting on, I think it is important that we’ve all met – no matter what anyone’s feelings are.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.