After arguably the ugliest year in professional golf, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have confirmed they have signed a deal to merge together.
The two circuits have gone toe-to-toe in a bitter feud since LIV formed 12 months ago, but now they are set to work alongside each other after coming to an agreement. The DP World Tour are also involved, with the sport's three leading circuits joining forces.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has been one of LIV's biggest critics during the feud, but hailed Tuesday's announcement an 'historic day' for the sport. "After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love," he said in a statement.
Follow all the latest news from the groundbreaking merge below...
There are still plenty of questions to be answered regarding where the world of professional golf stands, after the two tours had done everything they can to stifle each other's progress.
Bubba Watson shares details of horror knee injury ahead of LIV Golf debut
But amid the drama read here for everything we know so far.
Former Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harringtonhas had his say on the merger, and believes it is good for the 'cohesion' of professional golf.
Surprised that this merger has happened so quickly but not surprised itâs 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 theyâre losing. Good for the cohesion ofâ¦
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) June 6, 2023
One man who is arguably the happiest in golf right now is Phil Mickelson. Taking to Twitter, the LIV star simply wrote: "Awesome day today."
Jay Monahan has confirmed he has called a player meeting for all PGA Tour members to attend at the Canadian Open at 4pm local time (9pm BST).
Matt Fitzpatrick was set to be the first man in the media room at this week's Canadian Open, but instead the US Open champion has headed out onto the golf course. I wonder why...
Fitz had 1pm media room appointment.
— Geoff Fienberg (@gfienberg17) June 6, 2023
1:10 - he's walking down the 10th tee. He has no interest in being the first of today's nonsense pic.twitter.com/VSWh4NnpS9
Amid their anger, PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan has reached out to his playing roster.
In a letter Monahan wrote: "The PGA TOUR - your TOUR - is leading the formation of a new commercial entity to unify golf, one that sees the end of the disruption and distraction that has divided the men's professional game for the better part of three years.
"Through a framework agreement, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) is contributing its golf-related commercial businesses and rights (including LIV Golf), along with a significant financial investment, toward minority equity ownership of a new, collectively held, for-profit LLC. This new entity (name TBD) will also include the PGA TOUR's commercial businesses and rights, as well as those of the DP World Tour."
LIV Golf snap up PGA Tour winner who bases his game on fellow rebel Mickelson
Sahith Theegala has become the latest player to vent his frustrations at the PGA Tour.
He told Sports Illustrated: Just craziness, I mean I'm sure there's a reason for it but it's not going to be a good enough reason for the utter lack of communication.
"I mean how are top 10 players in the world finding out on Twitter. But I'm biting my tongue til there's more stuff we hear. No way players are gonna be okay with this."
(Mark Baker/AP/REX/Shutterstock)PGA Tour players were seemingly kept out of the loop of the decision, and many have been left unimpressed, no more so than Mackenzie Hughes.
Nothing like finding out through Twitter that weâre merging with a tour that we said weâd never do that with.
— Mackenzie Hughes (@MacHughesGolf) June 6, 2023
An exciting update for Full Swing fans! The show's executive producer Chadd Mumm has confirmed the Netfilx cameras have been rolling as the news broke.
You better believe we were filming when this broke. #FullSwing.
— Chad Mumm (@chadmumm) June 6, 2023
CEO of the R&A Martin Slumbers has released a statement praising the merge between the rival circuits.
He said: "We are pleased than an agreement has been reached which will help men's golf move forward in a collabarative, constructive and innovative fashion. We care deeply about golf's future and are committed to ensurring that the sport continues thrives for years to come.
Greg Norman has had his say on the the matter, but not the one you are thinking of!
The LIV CEO's son Greg Jr, has broken his family's silence on the merge after taking to Twitter.
Good morning! pic.twitter.com/MR5pfkrQDa
— Greg Norman Jr (@GregJrNorman) June 6, 2023
One man who has been arguably LIV Golf's biggest critic is Golf Channel pundit Brandel Chamblee.
And after the news was broken LIV's star man Brooks Koepka could not resist a cheeky dig...
Welfare Check on Chamblee
— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) June 6, 2023
Former US President Donald Trump is no stranger to LIV Golf, having hosted a whole host of its events. And he got his prediction spot on, after claiming an eventual merger with the PGA Tour would take place nearly one year ago.
One man you would expect to be at the centre of the announcement is LIV CEO Greg Norman, but he is yet to break his silence.
And it seems the Australian was left out of the negotiations all together, after Yasir Al-Rumayyan told CNBC he only informed Norman on the deal just moments before it was released.
The PGA Tour confirmed on Wednesday that they had join forces with LIV Golf and the DP World Tour. Here is everything you need to know.
Welcome to Mirror Sport's live PGA Tour-LIV Golf blog. In one of the biggest deals in golf's history, the PGA Tour has announced it has teamed up with its long-time rival LIV, alongside the DP World Tour after 12 months of civil war.
Stay tuned for updates on the deal right here.
