Greg Norman calls it a great day but golf’s billion-dollar peace deal shocks players

Golf’s billion dollar-peace deal left players blindsided but LIV rebels were winners and keen to let everyone know.

The merger was a big win for LIV Golf boss Greg Norman. Picture: Brenton Edwards / AFP

Leading players including major champions took to social media to vent their frustration after being blindsided by the shock merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, while Greg Norman‘s rebels celebrated a move PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan said made “the game of golf better”.

Monahan travelled to the Canadian Open in Ontario to deliver the news to players including strong PGA Tour advocate Rory McIlroy after the merger was announced to bring peace to golf’s ongoing war.

Despite not being mentioned in the announcement, Norman, who could be frozen out of the new arrangement given he was seen as the instigator of “two years of tension”, “called it a “great day in global golf”.

A great day in global golf for players and fans alike. The journey continues!!

— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) June 6, 2023

After exiting the meeting with players at the Canadian Open, Monahan conceded it was “heated” with many only finding out via social media or news outlets.

“I would describe the meeting as intense. Certainly heated,” he said.

Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa was among players shocked by the news, with the PGA Tour set to take significant investment from LIV backers, the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund, despite some of the game’s strongest commentators lashing the LIV rebels for being part of “sportswashing”.

“I love finding out morning news on Twitter,” Morikawa said.

The merger, with the DP World Tour also involved to bring all tours “under one umbrella” according to Monahan, still posed significant questions about whether it would mean LIV players, including Australian Cameron Smith, could once again play on the PGA Tour.

But the three organisations will “work cooperatively and in good faith to establish a fair and objective process for any players who desire to reapply for membership with the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour following the completion of the 2023 season and for determining fair criteria and terms of readmission”.
“There‘s been a lot of tension in our sport over the last couple years,” Monahan told CNBC on Tuesday.

”What we’re talking about today is coming together to unify the game of golf and to do so under one umbrella.

“We‘ve recognised that together we can have a far greater impact on this game than we can working apart. … The game of golf is better for what we’ve done here today.”

I love finding out morning news on Twitter

— Collin Morikawa (@collin_morikawa) June 6, 2023

One of LIV’s first signings, six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, called it an “awesome day” having staunchly defended the start-up against a long list of critics.

Brooks Koepka, who became the first LIV player to win a major at the PGA Championship, took aim at one of those critics, the Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee, who has launched continued attacks on the breakaway competition taking money from the PIF.

Bryson de Chambeau, another major champion who jumped to LIV, called it a “monumental day for golf”.

Australian Travis Smyth, who copped online hate when he played LIV events in 2022 before losing his place om the tour, declared “Saudis win”.

Great day for golf. Saudis win!! can’t wait to see how it all unfolds for the PGA/LIV but also all tours around the world. No doubt means more pathways and money. Also can’t wait for Brandel and Eamon resign or get the boot!

— Travis Smyth (@travsmythg) June 6, 2023

Welfare Check on Chamblee

— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) June 6, 2023

Awesome day today 😊 https://t.co/qUwVJiydym

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) June 6, 2023

The full make-up of golf’s new world also remains unclear, with the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV to run their own schedules, with the administration to be decided.

Pointedly, there was no mention of LIV Golf boss Norman in the announcement.

It will be also be followed by a mutually agreed end to all pending litigation between the participating parties.

“After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love,” Monahan said.

“This transformational partnership recognises the immeasurable strength of the PGA Tour’s history, legacy and pro-competitive model and combines with it the DP World Tour and LIV – including the team golf concept – to create an organisation that will benefit golf’s players, commercial and charitable partners and fans.

Monumental day for the game of golf.

— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) June 6, 2023

Surprised that this merger has happened so quickly but not surprised it’s happened. Definitely in the financial interest of both sides. Definitely in the financial interest of the players even though some of those who gain will feel like they’re losing. Good for the cohesion of…

— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) June 6, 2023

“Going forward, fans can be confident that we will, collectively, deliver on the promise we’ve always made – to promote competition of the best in professional golf and that we are committed to securing and driving the game’s future.

“There is no question that the LIV model has been positively transformative for golf. We believe there are opportunities for the game to evolve while also maintaining its storeyed history and tradition.

“This partnership represents the best opportunity to extend and increase the impact of golf for all. We look forward to collaborating with Jay and Keith to bring the best version of the game to communities around the world.”

Originally published as Greg Norman calls it a great day but golf’s billion-dollar peace deal shocks players