Trump Claims He Could Close PGA-LIV Deal "in 15 Minutes" Amid Growing Rumors of Agreement
Delve into the latest golf industry shake-ups, including transformative changes within the PGA Tour, innovative moves by the DP World Tour, and some other stories.
Hello, GBR community!
Wishing our American readers a wonderful Election, and fingers crossed for our international audience.
On the brink of the Presidential Election, candidate Donald Trump stated he could settle the long-running battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf “in just 15 minutes”, sparking renewed interest and speculation. As the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) face intense rumors of a groundbreaking deal, questions loom:
Is a billion-dollar agreement between these tours genuinely close?
What role would PIF play in the unified structure, and how might it reshape golf as we know it?
Are the reports credible, and what exactly would this deal mean for the future of the sport?
We take a deep dive into these questions in today’s exclusive content for our paid subscribers. But first, here are the main stories shaping the golf industry over the past week:
The PGA Tour is set to implement significant reforms, including reducing player eligibility from the top 125 to the top 100 in FedExCup standings.
Attendance for the DP World Tour's "Back 9" Series exceeded 400,000, resulting in a 16% increase in revenue across six events.
Spain will host the Ryder Cup in 2031, with Camiral Golf and Wellness as the likely venue.
American Golf has partnered with LA GOLF to offer their innovative carbon putters and balls in selected UK stores.
The PGA TOUR Superstore has been named the official retailer for merchandise from the new TGL league.
And some other stories. Let’s dive into the details!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Proposed Changes Will Radically Reshape PGA Tour
In June, the PGA Tour Policy Board kicked off a monumental overhaul of the tour’s structure. With the blessing of the Board, the Player Advisory Council (PAC) Subcommittees began a deep dive into everything from player eligibility to field sizes, FedExCup points, and even pathways to earn a tour card. A series of ongoing discussions aim to address players’ and fans’ experiences, with the first batch of proposed changes slated for a vote on November 18, with potential implementation in the 2026 season.
If the proposed recommendations are fully accepted, it will be the biggest change to the tour’s basic structure since 1983.
Here’s a closer look at the proposed adjustments and the reasoning behind them.
The Proposal at a Glance
Field Size Adjustments:
Cap at 144 Players: The maximum field size for an open tournament will be reduced from 156 to 144 players. In events where daylight or other logistical factors are a concern, fields may go down to 120 or 132.
Why the Change? About 28% of tournaments this year had rounds spill over due to insufficient daylight, creating scheduling challenges. By resizing fields, the PAC hopes to prevent these delays, improve broadcast quality, and ensure that each round wraps up as planned.
Revised Eligibility Criteria:
Top 125 to Top 100: The exemption threshold will shift from the top 125 to the top 100 players in the FedExCup standings, with conditional status extended to those ranked 101-125.
Why the Cut? This change will encourage stronger competition, ensuring the most consistent performers secure access to Full-Field Events. The Competitions and Regulations Subcommittee assessed players’ scoring averages, Strokes Gained stats, and retention rates to make the top-100 cutoff more reflective of top-level talent.
Pathways to the PGA Tour:
Fewer Korn Ferry Tour Cards: The number of Tour cards awarded through the Korn Ferry Tour will be cut from 30 to 20, although 10 spots will still be reserved for DP World Tour players, and five will go to Q-School qualifiers.
Open Qualifying Adjustments: For tournaments with less than 144 players, open qualifying slots will be limited, reducing the strain on the field while preserving opportunities for emerging talent.
FedExCup Points Distribution:
Minor Adjustments: Points for majors and The Players runner-ups will increase slightly, while points for positions 11 and beyond will decrease. Signature Event points will see a slight reduction from position 7 onward.
Impact: This aims to balance point distribution and reward consistent high performance in elite events without overly inflating points for lower placements.
Sponsor Exemptions:
Shifts in Priority: Instead of allowing restricted sponsor exemptions, the priority will go to players next up in the Priority Ranking.
Rules for Amateurs:
A New Opportunity: If an amateur finishes in the top 10 of a tournament, they’ll now be eligible to play in the next open event. Additionally, an extra PGA Tour University Accelerated point will be awarded to players who secure a top-five finish.
Behind the Scenes: The Decision-Making Process
Each proposal emerged from months of analysis by PAC Subcommittees, which were formed this year to give players a voice in Tour operations. With a focus on four critical areas:
Competitions and Regulations
Pathways
Tournaments
Business
The Subcommittees reviewed comprehensive performance data, considered logistical impacts, and consulted feedback from players, fans, and sponsors.
The Competitions and Regulations Subcommittee, for instance, took a granular look at optimal field sizes. They weighed variables like the pace of play, television schedules, and the interests of sponsors and fans. The result? A recommendation to shrink fields where necessary, ensuring a smoother, faster-paced viewing experience.
What Lies Ahead?
If these changes are approved, the PGA Tour will enter a new era in 2026, marked by tighter competition, a more streamlined eligibility system, and adjusted pathways to golf’s most prestigious stage. The Korn Ferry Tour PAC is also reviewing how these changes could impact its players, with further discussions set to occur in upcoming meetings. Final decisions on modifications to field sizes and eligibility will be submitted to the Policy Board in December.
Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig makes some interesting observations on the proposed changes to field sizes.
The pace of play certainly is an issue. Glacial play doesn’t make for interesting television, and if there are any weather threats, it creates all sorts of issues around when rounds can be finished.
However, does cutting field sizes down fully address the slow play issue? Would more effective fines for players make the worst culprits speed up?
There’s also an argument that the reduced field sizes will favor the better players - less competition to deal with, but is that really true?
Gaining access to the PGA Tour is also going to become harder. Where does this leave the motivation for players on the Korn Ferry Tour who will be playing a highly competitive tour with less opportunity to be rewarded for good play by gaining a PGA Tour card?
The PGA Tour will become more cut-throat as only the top 100 will keep their cards. Could it be argued that this move makes it easier for the biggest stars to have an easier time of it, collecting more money and trophies between them?
The elephant in the room is how an agreement finally reached between the PGA Tour and PIF might affect these plans.
Nothing stays the same forever, and in the past 12 months, the PGA Tour has been proactive in looking to make effective changes to improve the product.
It’s understandable that not all players will approve. Those who consistently reach East Lake each year for the Tour Championship won’t have too much to worry about. Players hovering around the 100-125 positions in the FedEx Cup will likely feel more threatened.
The success of the proposed changes also comes down in part to whether or not fans will approve. Will they settle for the Schefflers and McIlroys of this world dominating PGA Tour headlines, or will there be a deeper loss of interest as the changes prove to be more of a hindrance to giving the game’s up and coming stars their chance on the big stage?
“The membership of the Tour is too big. Our events are too big. And there are people at the bottom who are supposed to be fully exempt players on Tour who don’t know the value of the card.” - Peter Malnati, PGA Tour player and Policy Board member.
“I think it would be amazing if our Tour was 100 guys, and we have 20 guys that get relegated every time, every year, doesn't matter who you are. It would be exciting. Because you come down to the end of the year, people are looking who is going to win the FedEx Cup, and then you're looking at who is not going to be here next year.” - Wyndham Clark speaking at this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
“I think the most important part of this is that the KFT graduates get a fair chance at keeping their cards. When you promise a tour card but you’re only getting in (opposite) field events and barely full field events, a bad start to the (year) and you are so behind the 8-ball it’s unfair.” - Michael Kim.
DP World Tour Reports Success With “Back 9” Series
The DP World Tour launched the Back 9 Series this year, and has reported that the series has been a major success in both attendance numbers at the venues and increased viewership.
The Back 9 Series was placed at a crucial time of year for players looking to reach the Race To Dubai’s climax at the Tour Championship, which will be staged later this month on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Players such as Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel were able to compete for some of the biggest prizes on the DP World Tour while providing an opportunity to welcome back LIV Golfers Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton back as they bid to play a part in next year’s Ryder Cup.
With tournaments held across iconic courses in the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe and even the grand finale in Korea, the series generated strong attendance numbers even when, on occasions, weather conditions were far from ideal.
Attendance by the Numbers:
Over 400,000 fans attended the Back 9 tournaments in 2024, a 7% increase from 2023.
The BMW PGA Championship held at Wentworth set a new benchmark, achieving record sell-out days and boosting spectator numbers by 4%.
The Amgen Irish Open and Betfred British Masters, hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, saw 2% and 3% increases in attendance, respectively.
In Europe, the Estrella Damm N.A. The Andalucia Masters saw a staggering 29% increase in spectators, while the Acciona Open de España and FedEx Open de France saw increases of 4% and 6%, respectively.
As the series came to a close, the Genesis Championship in Korea capped things off with a bang, boasting a 164% increase in spectators. Fans were treated to a thrilling finale as two of Korea’s brightest stars, Tom Kim and Byeong Hun An, faced off in a play-off, with Byeong emerging victorious.
Fans Flock, Revenue Soars
For the DP World Tour, this year wasn’t just about numbers on the leaderboard. The Back 9 saw a substantial 16% increase in consumer revenue from ticketing, premium hospitality, and merchandise sales across six tournaments. From a business standpoint, the series proved to be a resounding success, with fans showing up not just in person but tuning in worldwide.
Sky Sports Viewership Peaks:
An average peak in live TV viewership on Sky Sports rose by 13%.
The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship saw a remarkable 60% increase in peak viewership.
The BMW PGA Championship’s three-hole playoff between Rory McIlroy, Thriston Lawrence, and eventual winner Billy Horschel led to a 65% spike.
The FedEx Open de France recorded an astounding 126% boost in live peak viewership, while the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters saw a 14% rise.
The Digital Arena
The success of the Back 9 was also evident in the digital realm, with the DP World Tour enjoying a 13% increase in follower growth on social media platforms and a 15% jump in social media interactions. This growth reflects a broader surge of interest in the sport, as more fans engage online, eager to follow each tournament's twists and turns.
The news comes as a significant boost when viewing figures haven’t been great on the PGA Tour, and attendances haven’t shown dramatic increases across the schedule.
The timing of the Back 9 Series could be construed as a gamble cramming such high-profile events week after week, which means that players like McIlroy won’t play every single week.
There have also been some interesting side plots to follow, such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton’s appearances in DP World Tour events, as they both show a desire to be considered for the Ryder Cup.
October’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship also saw the intriguing match-up of PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan with PIF’s Yasir Al-Rumayyan during the first round at Carnoustie.
Both Al-Rumayyan and Monahan then went on to play rounds with Rory McIlroy during the week. Would a deal be thrashed out while the two main protagonists walked Carnoustie’s fairways together?
The success of the Back 9 Series is a positive story for Guy Kinnings, who took over this summer as the DP World Tour’s Chief Executive Officer from Keith Pelley.
“The DP World Tour has enjoyed impressive growth in our fan base in recent years, mirroring the increased interest in golf participation globally. We revamped our season structure this year to reinforce our position as golf’s global Tour, with a series of global swings building towards the Back 9 and then the season-ending play-offs.”
“These statistics show that our popularity is on a strong upward trajectory and with the Play-offs about to start, our fans are in for a further treat as star names head to Abu Dhabi and Dubai to battle it out for the coveted Race to Dubai crown.” - Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive, DP World Tour.
The Short Game
Ryder Cup Returning to Spain in 2031: According to the Spanish outlet Ten Golf, the Ryder Cup will be played in Spain in 2031, with Camiral Golf and Wellness favored as the host venue. Known previously as PGA Catalunya, Camiral has a strong reputation, having hosted three Spanish Opens and the DP World Tour qualifying school from 2008 to 2014. The only Ryder Cup held in Spain was at Valderrama in 1997, where the European team, led by Captain Seve Ballesteros, triumphed 14½–13½. By Matt Vincenzi, Sports Illustrated.
American Golf Announces Exclusive Partnership with LA GOLF: American Golf, the UK’s largest golf retailer, has formed an exclusive partnership with premium US golf brand LA GOLF to stock their innovative carbon putter, which features the largest sweet spot and is the most technologically advanced putter ever made. Selected stores will offer the putter through American Golf’s custom fit service, ensuring customers receive the optimal neck and length. Additionally, American Golf will carry LA GOLF balls, known for their four-piece proprietary construction that excels in distance and control, outperforming top competitors in independent tests. By Dan Owen, Golf Retailing.
TGL Presented by SoFi Names PGA TOUR Superstore as Official Retailer: PGA TOUR Superstore, the leading U.S. retailer of golf gear, has been announced as the official in-store retailer for TGL presented by SoFi licensed merchandise. Fans can shop for TGL team apparel, headwear, and accessories at over 70 PGA TOUR Superstore locations nationwide, including specialized selections in the six cities TGL teams represent. Story featured in The Golf Wire.
PGA of America Launches HOPE 4 Heroes campaign: The PGA of America REACH Foundation launched the HOPE 4 Heroes campaign on November 1, 2024, to support Veterans and Active-Duty Military through PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), its rehabilitative golf program, providing free access thanks to donations.
Running through December 31, HOPE 4 Heroes celebrates Veterans while raising awareness of PGA HOPE, which now serves over 17,000 Veterans at 550 locations nationwide, led by 4,000 specially trained PGA Professionals.
PGA HOPE, offered at no cost to Veterans, uses a six- to eight-week golf curriculum focused on enhancing physical, mental, and social well-being, with over 13,000 Veterans currently on a waiting list for the program. Story featured in First Call Golf.com.
Golfzon introduces the TwoVisionNX, hailed as the world’s most advanced golf simulator. This simulator offers an unmatched indoor golf experience with innovations like a 64-directional Motion Plate that mimics various outdoor lies, from fairway to bunker, and provides instant Weight Shift Analysis with video replay.
The TwoVisionNX is the first Golfzon simulator to use Unreal Engine 5 graphics, delivering near-perfect course realism and details like sand sprays and flying divots, along with near-zero latency, while offering multiplayer capabilities for up to 10,000 golfers worldwide.
Expanded practice modes include a unique approach range with 18 hitting zones, a dedicated putting range with customizable slopes, and access to personalized data through the Golfzon mobile app, all supporting Golfzon’s mission to make golf fun and accessible globally. Story featured in First Call Golf.com.
Trump Claims He Could Close PGA-LIV Deal in '15 Minutes' Amid Intense Rumors of a Deal Struck
On the eve of Election Day, U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump claimed he could settle the ongoing standoff between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf in "the better part of 15 minutes." Speaking on the "Let's Go" podcast with Jim Gray and Bill Belichick, Trump, who faces Vice President Kamala Harris in today's election, asserted his confidence in swiftly brokering a deal despite focusing on what he described as "much bigger problems."
“I do think we should have one tour, and they should have the best players in that tour,” Trump explained, adding that having "many tours" could work as long as there is a primary tour bringing together the sport’s top talent. He pointed to the missed opportunities for fans and players alike due to the current division, saying, “It’s terrible when somebody’s shut out of a major. It’s terrible.”
Trump emphasized LIV Golf players' satisfaction with the Saudi-backed league: "If you speak to them, they’re happy with their decisions. They made more money than they probably could ever have made." He commented on the financial windfall for some players, who received "checks from, in some cases, hundreds of millions of dollars." For many, he argued, the location of play mattered less than the lucrative contracts they had secured.
Confident that a unified tour would benefit the sport, Trump suggested he could help bring the sides together and settle the conflict once and for all. "I could certainly help, but I could probably get it done," he stated, concluding, "I would say it would take me the better part of 15 minutes to get that deal done."
This confident statement comes as talks between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) approach a pivotal moment. Reports indicate that a $1.5 billion deal between the two tours is all but finalized. According to these reports, the agreement would outline each party's role in a unified structure, pending only player approval to move forward.
But what do we actually know for certain?