Donald Trump has intensified his involvement in efforts to unify professional golf, with Tiger Woods joining key figures in discussions at the White House on Thursday. The meeting brought together representatives from the PGA Tour, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the breakaway LIV Golf circuit to address the ongoing divisions within the sport.
Woods attended alongside PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and fellow board member Adam Scott, as well as Yasir al-Rumayyan, the governor of PIF. Talks focused on the potential reintegration of LIV golfers into the PGA Tour and defining LIV Golf’s place in a unified schedule. Trump introduced Woods at a reception following the discussions, emphasizing their “interesting discussions” about the future of the game.
Since LIV Golf’s creation in 2022, professional golf has been deeply fractured, with top players such as Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau making the controversial switch. Until now, there was little indication they would have a way back to the PGA Tour. If Trump’s influence accelerates a deal, a pathway could soon emerge for these players to compete in PGA Tour events once again.
Beyond player reintegration, broader questions remain about how the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the DP World Tour will coexist within a global golf schedule. The PGA Tour has remained cautious in public statements regarding the meeting, though Monahan later described the discussions as a “constructive working session” that could lead to a new era for the sport.
Leadership within golf remains committed to moving quickly toward a resolution. The hope is to create a system where the best players in the world compete together more frequently, benefiting both the sport and its fans.
Trump’s role in these talks extends beyond his passion for golf, as he holds considerable influence over government entities that could impact any agreement. Under the previous administration, the U.S. Department of Justice was seen as a potential roadblock to a formal PGA Tour-LIV Golf alliance. Now, with Trump back in the White House, there is a belief that regulatory concerns could be eased, paving the way for PIF to invest in PGA Tour Enterprises.
This entity, created in June 2023 as part of an initial framework agreement, is expected to play a pivotal role in golf’s restructuring. Alongside financial negotiations, there is also increasing speculation about Saudi Arabia’s broader involvement in U.S. sports franchises.
Scott and Monahan had visited the White House earlier in February, continuing a dialogue that seems to be gaining momentum. Woods, who had previously been reserved about the future of golf, expressed newfound optimism. On Sunday, he predicted that the sport’s divisions would be resolved sooner rather than later, stating, “Things are going to heal quickly. We’re going to get this game going in the right direction.”
Rory McIlroy, another key figure in golf’s politics, had also met with Trump in early January, playing a round of golf together. With increasing engagement between Trump, the PGA Tour, and Saudi officials, expectations are rising that a resolution may soon be reached.
