BREAKING NEWS: LIV Golf and PGA Tour Merger Letter Reaches Donald Trump as Seven Solutions Unveiled. .giang

President Donald Trump has received a letter with seven solutions to mend the divide between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

The PGA, LIV, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which funds LIV, reached a framework agreement for a merger in June 2023, although tangible progress has been few and far between. In a meeting at the White House last month, Trump oversaw discussions between PGA chief Jay Monahan, player representatives Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, but no truce was made.

French Golf Federation president Pascal Grizot wrote to Trump in December asking for his help. “Golf stands at a critical crossroads. Its future depends on decisive action and the visionary leadership you are able to provide,” he said. In the letter, Grizot shared his seven-step vision to fix world golf amid declining TV ratings.

Create global circuit

Grizot called for the creation of an International Tour away from the United States, combining the European Tour, Asian Tour, Sunshine Tour, PGA Australia and LIV. This would complement the USPGA.

Citing the PGA’s unwillingness to help organize events outside the country, Grizot explained to L’Equipe: “We need to create an international tour by merging all the main circuits outside the United States because there are extraordinary courses and millions of golf fans in these regions.”

Five Global World Series tournaments

Grizot has suggested that his hypothetical International Tour could host the equivalent of the PGA’s Signature Events outside the US, with prize money $1million less than the four majors. The Frenchman proposed the idea because he believes US golf fans have declining interest in hosting LIV events.

“The Americans don’t want to see any more LIV tournaments played in their country,” Grizot said. “That’s a good thing, but the Saudis have to be offered something else, namely these Global Series divided up as follows: one in continental Europe, one in Asia, one in the Middle East, one in Australia and South Africa in turn, plus a super final in Saudi Arabia.”

Reduce number of LIV events

Despite his desire to restructure the sport and create a new international circuit, Grizot is aware that LIV will have a place in golf’s future, particularly with the investment already made. He proposed reducing the number of LIV events from 14 to 10, with the International Tour replacing a portion of its schedule.

“Today, all the world’s companies want to work with [Saudi Arabia].” Grizot told L’Equipe. “So I don’t see why we shouldn’t take advantage of golf to support its image and, in return, help to raise the profile of the sport. It could be a win-win deal.’

Fix golfing calendar

In Grizot’s plan, the French Golf Federation president believes there is no reason for events to clash. This would include the four majors, signature events, the five Global World Series Tournaments and LIV’s new 10-event schedule.

“Let’s work on a product that will ensure that it no longer has the image of a circuit in conflict with world golf,” Grizot said. “We suggest that [LIV Golf] finance the four International Series with prize money that respects the Majors and stage a super final in Saudi Arabia.”

Player exemptions

One of the overriding issues since the launch of LIV Golf has been the inability of top players to cross the divide while contracted to their respective tours. Grizot would grant exemptions to any PGA player who wishes to take part in the Global Series. Meanwhile, Global Series players in the world’s top 50 would also be eligible to compete in Signature Events.

LIV ranking points

To facilitate these player exemptions, LIV and Global Series events should be allocated world ranking points. LIV has not been granted ranking points since its inception, meaning its top stars have to rely on past performances at majors to remain part of the sport’s most prestigious events.

Player contracts

Adopting an approach similar to the ATP Tour in tennis, Grizot would contract all promising young players to the Signature Events and Global World Series, guaranteeing an elite playing field. In time, Grizot believes the PGA and International Tour would eventually undergo a merge.

“Players will still be able to prepare as they see fit, but in the long term we need to contract young players so that the best ones play in a minimum number of tournaments, 12 out of the 16 on the calendar, thus guaranteeing a field of players worthy of the level of prize money involved in these tournaments,” he explained.