“It is inevitable,” Outgoing DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley claims golf ‘unification’ is imminent

Keith Pelley claims that the merger deal is 'inevitable' and will surely take place.

“It is inevitable,” Outgoing DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley claims golf ‘unification’ is imminent

Keith Pelley (Image via SI)

As the month of March kicks on, the talks of the ongoing golf merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has picked up pace as well. Outgoing DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley has once again expressed confidence in the deal and claimed a golf ‘unification‘ is imminent.

The world of golf were left stunned in June 2023 when the Tour announced a shocking deal with LIV Golf and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Since then several developments have taken place regarding it including the extension of the merger deadline till April to reach a conclusive agreement.

YouTube video

Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Times, the European Tour boss claimed that the deal will happen and it was the only way to continue to grow the game.

I think people are coming to the realisation that a collective product is in the best interest of global golf. It is the only way growth and prize funds continue at this level. It is inevitable.
Keith Pelley on golf unification.

However, when will this deal go through is something he does not know. Pelley expressed that the deal could take anywhere within two months to 10 years to finally reach a conclusive agreement.

Keith Pelley admits having no regrets on resigning as DP World Tour

As the time on his tenure ticks down, Keith Pelley opened up about his shocking decision to resign as CEO of DP World Tour. The Canadian international admitted that he has no regrets over it.

Pelley took over the reins of the European Tour in 2015 and has since navigated them through several obstacles including the COVID-19 pandemic. During this eight-and-a-half year period, they underwent several changes and also lost a lot of players to LIV Golf.

Keith Pelley
Keith Pelley (Image via PGA Tour)

The 60-year-old recently sat down for an interview with The Sunday Times. In this conversation, the outgoing top boss expressed confidence in each decision he took.

I have absolutely no regrets. We have rebuilt the tour. Our business is fully underpinned by the strategic alliance with PGA Tour and prize funds are at a record level.
Keith Pelley on leaving his position as DP World Tour CEO.

His term as CEO will end on April 2nd. After that he will fly back to his native land of Canada to take on the role of President and Chief Executive of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in Toronto. By the time he settles into this position, there is still no guarantee that the two tours will come to a conclusive agreement.

In recent weeks, the PGA Tour has picked up momentum with the enormous $3 billion investment deal with Strategic Sports Group (SSG). This has led to many believing that a deal with the PIF is currently not needed. Only time will now unveil when this deal will actually go through.

In case you missed it: