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Tom Watson remains frustrated by a lack of answers over the PGA Tour’s so-called merger with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf.

The eight-time major champion has told the 5 Clubs Podcast that the exclusion of tour players in the shock peace talks was a “huge mistake.”

It was announced on June 6 that the PGA Tour had reached a framework agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, who bankroll the fledgling LIV series.

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The statement declaring the top-secret truce, however, was ambiguous, and Watson wrote an open letter to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan posing questions about what the deal means for the competitive golfing landscape.

Watson’s letter referenced the PGA Tour’s “hypocrisy” in performing a U-turn to unite with the Saudis, while also questioning whether the deal was a last resort for the US circuit to escape financial peril.

And while Watson welcomes efforts to improve transparency, with Tiger Woods appointed to the Tour’s Policy Board, he has bemoaned the lack of player involvement in the first place.

“The sad thing about it is the questions in that letter haven’t been answered,” the 73-year-old said. “Not a single one. We’re waiting for answers. I can’t comment on it until we get the answers.”

He added: “I think the Board needed a restructuring so that the players had voting power because this is a players’ organisation.

“This organisation went outside of the due process. It wasn’t transparent at all. There were no players involved at all in the negotiations with PIF and Yasir (Al-Rumayyan, PIF chair). That needed to be.

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“That was a huge mistake, I think, and I think the players thought so too. A single player needed to be involved in that, at least.

“We have people that are making decisions that really shaping the future of PGA Tour golf and without player participation in those decisions, we’re going in the wrong direction.”

Commissioner Monahan has faced huge levels of scrutiny over his deal but remains in position as his circuit aims to thrash out a deal with PIF before the January 1 2024 deadline.

Monahan has given away very few details so far, but claimed on Tuesday that he has full confidence over a “positive outcome” that will benefit the PGA Tour.

“We have put an end to the divisive and distracting litigation,” he told reporters in Atlanta before this week’s Tour Championship.

“We have safeguards in place to control the future. I am confident we will reach an agreement that will have a positive impact for the PGA Tour and our fans. I’m certain of it.”