Golf’s unification is inevitable, says DP World chief Keith Pelley
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Golf - European Tour - BMW PGA Championship - Wentworth Golf Club, Virginia Water, Britain - September 7, 2022 CEO of the PGA European Tour, Keith Pelley during a press conference Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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LONDON – It is a matter of time before the rival tours in professional golf come together to form a unified entity, outgoing DP World Tour chief executive officer Keith Pelley said on March 3, as the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continue working on plans to join forces.
Pelley, who will be replaced by the European Tour deputy CEO and executive director Guy Kinnings on April 2, has been advocating for a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV, backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
He told The Times newspaper that he remains “convinced the game will be unified”.
“Whether it be in six months, a year, two years or 10 years, I think people are coming to the realisation that a collective product is in the best interest of global golf,” Pelley said.
“It is the only way growth and prize funds continue at this level. It is inevitable.”
Pelley, who is highly unlikely to witness the deal before his exit, moves into the role of president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, whose brands include the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors.
“Would I love to stay and see it through? Yes. But you can’t control timing,” he added.
PIF divided the world of golf when it launched LIV Golf in 2022.
Last June, the PGA Tour, PIF and Europe-based DP World Tour announced a framework agreement to house their commercial operations in a for-profit entity called PGA Tour Enterprises and tensions between the players began to cool.
On the course, Joaquin Niemann captured his second LIV Golf title in three starts this season after cruising to a four-stroke victory at LIV Jeddah in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, on March 3.
Niemann carded a four-under 66 in the third and final round to finish at 17-under 193 at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
For his efforts, the Chilean, 25, earned US$4 million (S$5.4 million), boosting his 2024 income after three events to US$8,162,000.
“I’m more than happy about the way I’m playing,” he said. “I just want to keep on the same path. I’m pretty proud of the way I played all week.”
He has posted three wins in his last three months. He emerged victorious at the Australian Open in December as well the LIV season opener at Mayakoba in February.
South Africans Louis Oosthuizen (67) and Charl Schwartzel (68) finished in a tie for second place at 13 under.
Bryson DeChambeau rode a blistering 62 on March 3 into a fourth-place finish at 12 under, followed by first-round co-leader Jon Rahm (68) of Spain at 11 under.
On the PGA Tour, Austin Eckroat won the Cognizant Classic on March 4 after the final round the previous day was halted due to thunderstorms, which stopped play for 3½ hours.
The overnight co-leader was 15 under for the tournament after seven holes when darkness fell.
He returned to shoot a four-under 67 for a 17-under 267 total, three clear of South African Erik van Rooyen (63) and Australia’s Min Woo Lee (67) at Palm Beach Gardens in Florida.
It was the 25-year-old American’s first PGA victory in 50 starts.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods teed it up at the Seminole pro-member one-day tournament in Juno Beach, Florida, on March 4.
It was his first competition since withdrawing from the second round of the Genesis Invitational on Feb 16.
He was grouped with PGA of America chief Seth Waugh, two-time Major winner Justin Thomas and CEO of software company Yext, Mike Walrath. REUTERS, AFP
