The LIV Golf bandwagon hit a roadblock today, with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour forging an unbreakable bond that has left their Saudi-backed rivals reeling. The news of a global golf alliance between these two powerhouses, now bolstered by the Asian Tour's participation, is a massive blow to LIV Golf's grand ambitions – and it comes at a time when they're already struggling to stay afloat.
The writing was on the wall after last week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where the big guns met behind closed doors. The existing partnership between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour has been given an extra gear, with a new extension taking it beyond 2029 – and the Asian Tour is now firmly in their camp. That's bad news for LIV Golf, which had previously counted on these events to boost its profile and provide a pathway for players to join their lucrative series.
This seismic shift has been a long time coming, with talks between the tours accelerating over recent months. And it promises to bring significant changes – including clear pathways for Asian golfers to gain playing rights on the DP World Tour from 2027. Some events will even revert to co-sanctioned status, a move that's sure to ruffle some feathers in the LIV camp.
Rory McIlroy was among those quick to welcome this new development, tweeting his approval and praising the tours for putting golf first. And it seems he's not alone – Asian Tour CEO Cho Minn Thant hailed the partnership as a major boost for international golf in Asia, while Christian Hardy of the PGA Tour declared that this is just what golf needed: "a shared vision for the future".
But make no mistake – this is a body blow to LIV Golf, which has been reeling since its financial backer reportedly pulled out £3.75 billion in funding. With O'Neil on the hunt for $350 million in new investment, the writing's on the wall: this alliance spells disaster for their plans to shake up the golf calendar.