The North American Golf Tour (PGA) and the European Tour have unveiled a 13-year alliance to fight the breakaway Saudi-funded new league LIV.
“Today’s announcement strengthens both circuits for the benefit of their members” said Keith Pelley, CEO of the European Tour. With this partnership, the PGA will increase its participation in the European Tour from 15 to 40%. Keith Palley also promised “a guaranteed increase in annual prize funds for the next 5 years, above the record levels of 2022“.
This alliance, which runs until 2035, will have the advantage of increasing the financial endowments of the 2 circuits, while the LIV has attracted big names in golf with the highest bonuses in the history of golf. “We’re bringing our organizations and members even closer together while innovating to bring the most exciting golf to our fans around the world.” rejoiced Jay Monahan, boss of the PGA.
Among the other new features planned, the first 10 players in the end-of-season ranking of the European circuit will obtain from 2023 a card for the PGA Tour the following season. A path will be drawn in parallel to allow golfers to move from the European circuit to the PGA Tour.
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Charl Schwartzel 1st LIV Laureate
The 1st tournament under the LIV Golf label took place at the beginning of June in North London with the participation of 17 members of the PGA Tour, all excluded from the North American circuit until further notice. It was won by South African Charl Schwartzel, who walked away with a check for $4 million. The 2nd LIV tournament is scheduled for Thursday in Oregon in the United States.
