PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan provides insights regarding “productive” meeting with President Donald Trump over merger deal with PIF

PGA Tour Commissioner hinted at having one tour following the reunification of golf after his "productive" meeting with Donald Trump.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan provides insights regarding “productive” meeting with President Donald Trump over merger deal with PIF

Jay Monahan and Donald Trump (Image via Imago)

Last week, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan along with player-director Adam Scott and 15-time major champion Tiger Woods met President Donald Trump. The trio would meet with him regarding the ongoing merger talks between them and the PIF. On Wednesday, Monahan provided insights regarding this “productive” meeting.

The merger deal which was announced in June 2023, is yet to be closed out. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is reported to have become an obstacle in this. With Trump now in charge of the country, Monahan along with Woods and Scott met him and asked for his help to get them through and reunify the game.

YouTube video

Monahan thinks that the deal with the PIF has gotten one step closer following their meeting with Trump at the White House last week. Speaking with reporters ahead of the Genesis Invitational, the PGA Tour commissioner also hinted about the game of golf being played under ‘one tour’ once it gets reunified.

FS Video

For him to respond to our request to sit down and talk about how we achieve what he stated publicly as a goal, which is the game of golf operating under one tour with all the top players playing on that one tour, was a great opportunity. We had a really productive conversation.

Jay Monahan told the reporters as per Sports Illustrated

Before his re-election as the President, Donald Trump had dropped a bold claim regarding this merger deal. He claimed that he could wrap this deal up in 15 minutes if he became the President again.

While it did not happen in 15 minutes like he said, there has been some progress. As per Golf insider Rex Hoggard the PGA Tour and PIF have reached a financial agreement regarding this merger deal. It had also been reported that the deal could be announced by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

Rory McIlroy believes Donald Trump is on the side of the PGA Tour after playing a round of golf with him

Ahead of the Genesis Invitational Rory McIlroy revealed that he played a round of golf with Donald Trump just before his inauguration in January. The North Irishman also believes that the President is on the side of the PGA Tour while dropping a major statement regarding LIV Golf.

Rory McIlroy and Donald Trump
Rory McIlroy and Donald Trump (Image via Imago)

McIlroy pointed out that Trump is not a fan of LIV Golf’s current format despite the fact that his courses have hosted several LIV Golf events. They also have one event – LIV Golf Miami, scheduled to take place at his Trump Doral course in April this year.

It was great. Yeah, it was really good. I thought we had a good discussion. I learnt that he’s not a fan of the LIV format. I was like, ‘But you’ve hosted their events?’ He was like, ‘Yeah, but it doesn’t mean that I like it.’ So I think he’s on the Tour’s side.

Rory McIlroy told the reporters at the Genesis Invitational press conference

LIV Golf has a different format compared to other professional tours. Instead of regular tee times and pairings, they have a shotgun start with no cuts and only play 54 holes.

They also incorporate team play, which is something that has been criticized by many before. Jon Rahm, who joined the league in December 2023, claimed that he would not mind going back to playing to 72 holes after spending a few months with them.