- Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan were in the same group at Carnoustie
- The PGA Tour and LIV Golf bosses hugged and chatted during the Pro-Am event
- Hopes have been raised that a deal came finally been struck between the tours
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan embraced Yasir Al-Rumayyan – the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in a further indicator golf’s civil war may be reaching an end.
Monahan and Al-Rumayyan were drawn together at the tournament on Thursday, joining professionals Billy Horschel and Dean Burmester.
The move came amid rising hopes of a peace deal between golf’s warring parties after a prolonged 16 months of negotiations.
Monahan was seen embracing Al-Rumayyan, who is behind the vehicle that funds the rival LIV Golf, ahead of play at Carnoustie.
The two golf bosses were seen talking as they walked down the course during Pro-Am event in Scotland.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, left, embraced Yasir Al-Rumayyan at Carnoustie
The embrace has further suggested golf’s civil war could be approaching its conclusion
Monahan is in the same group as Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi’s Public Investment Fund
The warmth shown by Monahan marks a major U-turn compared to the PGA chief’s previous comments regarding LIV’s challenge to the golf’s old order.
The sport has faced an uncertain future ever since Saudi Arabia first threatened the dominance of the PGA and DP World Tours.
Last June, they announced a ‘framework agreement’ for a shock merger.
Since then, talks have dragged on over a deal that would reportedly see the PIF inject more than $1billion (£760million) into PGA Tour Enterprises.
Monahan had initially hit out at Saudi Arabia’s entry into golf having accused LIV of trying to buy the sport back in June 2022 – when the PGA suspended 17 players for breaking away to join the rival tour.
‘Participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf event is in violation of our tournament regulations. These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,’ Monahan wrote in a letter at the time.
Monahan had accused LIV Golf, funded by the Saudi PIF, of trying to buy golf back in 2022
The PGA Tour Commissioner faced criticism for U-turning after agreeing a merger last year
‘I am certain our fans and partners — who are surely tired of all this talk of money, money and more money — will continue to be entertained and compelled by the world-class competition you display each and every week, where there are true consequences for every shot you take and your rightful place in history whenever you reach that elusive winner’s circle.
‘(The Tour’s) legacy can’t be bought or sold.’
Monahan had faced a furious backlash for his role in accepting a deal with PIF one year later.
He was widely labelled a ‘hypocrite’ and had his leadership called into question by players following his U-turn.
The framework agreement revealed a plan to combine the golf-related businesses of Saudi’s Public Investment Fund – which includes LIV Golf – with those of the PGA Tour and European Tour.
Al-Rumayyan is set to serve as chairman and Monahan the CEO of the proposed new entity.
Speaking ahead of the event, Rory McIlroy expressed hope a final agreement could be reached by the end of this year to end golf’s long-running civil war.
Hopes have been raised that long-running negotiations for the merger can soon be completed
‘There’s no better place than the home of golf to try and get everyone together and talking,’ he said.
‘I think it’s a great thing and good sign that Jay and Yasir are going to play together. And obviously you’ve got quite a big contingent over from LIV that are playing in this event.
‘I think what Johann Rupert (who owns Dunhill) the man who runs this event is trying to do is just bring the golf world back together a little bit. If we need to be forced together in some way, he’s trying to do that.
‘I think it will be good. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.’
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