PGA Tour and LIV Golf negotiations expected to gather pace after Donald Trump re-election

US President-elect met PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund chief Yasir Al Rumayyan, according to report

US President-elect Donald Trump with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund boss Yasir Al Rumayyan, left, during UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, New York. AFP

US President-elect Donald Trump has met with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund boss Yasir Al Rumayyan over possible plans on how to end the deadlock that has divided men's golf, according to a report.

The Washington Post said on Sunday that Trump played golf with Monahan on Friday at Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Trump has hosted PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf events on his courses and has professional relations with both parties.

Trump was later seen seated beside Saudi Arabia's wealth fund director Al Rumayyan at Saturday's UFC 309 event at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Negotiations between the sides have stalled after a framework merger agreement was announced in June 2023 between Monahan and Al Rumayyan.

Talks between PGA Tour and LIV blew past a deadline of last December and have continued with little progress since.

Trump courses have hosted five LIV events since the inception of the Saudi-backed series. PGA events had also been staged at other courses Trump owns.

Trump had earlier this month stated he could help broker a deal between the two sides, saying: "I would say it would take me the better part of 15 minutes to get that deal done.

"I'm really going to work on other things, to be honest with you. I think we have much bigger problems than that. But I do think we should have one tour and they should have the best players in that tour."

Earlier, Rory McIlroy expected a resolution to the standoff with Trump sweeping the US presidential elections.

The world No 3, who won the DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai on Sunday, had resigned from the PGA Tour policy board in November last year.

McIlroy said he thought Trump's relationship with Tesla boss Elon Musk could help get a deal over the line.

"He's got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him," added McIlroy. "We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too.

"It's probably a little less complicated than it actually is. But obviously Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He's got a great relationship with golf. He's a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?"

Among issues with a PGA-LIV deal are US Justice Department concerns over Saudi investments and anti-trust regulations. LIV and the PGA Tour have already announced plans for the 2025 season.

LIV Golf has added events in South Korea and the Indianapolis area to its schedule for next year.

The league announced on Wednesday tournaments to be played at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea and at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana.

"LIV Golf is growing across the globe in new and returning markets, and our 2025 schedule is a testament to that," said Greg Norman, LIV Golf commissioner and CEO.

"Bringing LIV Golf to South Korea is another significant milestone as we continue to expand throughout Asia, and our inaugural event in Indy will be a perfect match for a community steeped in sports history and tradition."

The tour will stop in South Korea May 2-4 at the Nicklaus club in Incheon, where the 2015 Presidents Cup was played. It is one of four Asian stops in 2025.

LIV Golf Indianapolis is set for August 15-17 and will be the final individual event on the calendar. Players will battled for the 2025 LIV Golf League championship there, also looking to secure their positions for 2026. Team-event seedings also will be determined there.