GOLF'S NEW WORLD ORDER

AFTER TWO YEARS OF DISRUPTION, THE WORLD OF MEN'S GOLF LOOKS SET TO UNIFY WITH THE PGA TOUR, LIV GOLF AND DP WORLD TOUR MERGING FOR THE 2024 SEASON. HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A LANDMARK DEAL WHICH COULD CHANGE THE FACE OF GOLF FOREVER...

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It represents the most stunning deal in the history of professional golf. The decision to merge the PGA Tour with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) caught everyone off guard - including the players and sent shockwaves through the sport.

The new agreement will see the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf come together to form "a new, collectively owned" entity exclusively funded by the PIF, ending a tense conflict which has lasted the best part of two years.

But how did a merger that seemed almost impossible actually happen and what does it mean for the future of the three tours involved and the Ryder Cup?

The following pages will answer all your burning questions about the PGA Tour's U-turn and the controversy of the PIF..

Who brokered the deal?

We understand Amanda Staveley, a shareholder in Newcastle United FC, and Jimmy Dunne, a powerbroker and close confidant to many top players, were key figures in finally getting the PGA Tour and PIF around the table.

The initial meeting was between PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and PGA Tour board members Jimmy Dunne and Ed Herlihy. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan then joined the negotiations at the second meeting and had two lunches with Al-Rumayyan in London, as well as a round of golf at Beaverbrook.

Only a handful of people, and no players, were ever involved in the process and there were just seven weeks between the initial meeting and the deal being finalised on June 5, less than 24 hours before it was publicly announced.

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