Jack Nicklaus Sounds Off on PGA Tour-LIV Golf Merger

Jack Nicklaus, the 18-time major champion who once turned down $100 million to be the face of LIV Golf, has spoken out about the merger between the Saudi-backed organization and the PGA Tour that stunned the golf world Tuesday.

Nicklaus shared with the Palm Beach Post that the arrangement “is good for the game of golf,” and it appears as though he was made aware of the shocking news Tuesday morning. Per the Golf Channel, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy also were informed of the merger in the same time frame.

“The last three years have been difficult for the game and the players,” Nicklaus told the Post. “I spoke with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan this morning. He seemed pleased with the arrangement that will once again bring together the best players in the world. I agree that this is good for the game of golf.

"I also appreciate the commissioner’s comments about continuing the tradition of the Tour and the mission to support important charitable causes. I am certainly interested in seeing the details. Jay indicated that this all will happen in 2024, so very soon the proof will be in the pudding. Whatever is best for the game of golf enjoys my full support.”

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Just last week, Nicklaus addressed LIV Golf at the Memorial Tournament, which he hosts annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

The 83-year-old said he did not consider LIV Golf defectors “part of the game anymore.”

“This is a PGA Tour event, and we have the best field we can possibly have for a PGA Tour event for those who are eligible to be here. The other guys made a choice of what they did and where they’ve gone, and we don’t even talk about it,” he said.