PGA Tour, LIV Golf Merger Announcement Completely Stunned Golf Fans

The golf world was utterly shocked on Tuesday morning when looking at news feeds after the PGA Tour announced they are in agreement with the DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF)—the financial backer of LIV Golf—to “unify the game of golf, on a global basis” following years of tribulation in the sport.

This news was truly unexpected and it appears as though the announcement was kept majorly under wraps with many PGA Tour golfers also unaware of the merger, per Shane Bacon. So, it makes sense why golf fans and media would have no way of seeing this news coming.

The two organizations have been battling for years over money, contracts and morals, especially since the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League poured billions of dollars into a league that aimed to compete directly against the PGA Tour. Various legendary golfers and major championship winners, such as Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, left the PGA Tour for LIV, and subsequently lost their PGA Tour cards. Now, the two leagues will merge.

While it’s unclear how exactly the two entities will come back together, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan noted in his statement on Tuesday that this move works “to create an organization that will benefit golf’s players, commercial and charitable partners and fans.”

Here’s some of the most genuine, shocking reactions to the merger news.

In genuine shock. Need a minute to process.

My first instinct: what a great day for golf. https://t.co/VrZw4Rqybo
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 6, 2023

Well, I guess Phil did know more than the rest of us.
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) June 6, 2023

So does this mean that the PGA Tour is full partners with the Saudi government now? This is absolutely wild.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 6, 2023

That’s certainly one way to start the day https://t.co/GJEFgHuEsc
— Fried Egg Golf (@fried_egg_golf) June 6, 2023

Guys who got paid millions and millions and now less than a year later get their PGA tour card back, what a heist
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) June 6, 2023

pic.twitter.com/i5Fcyuv8Ga
— claire rogers (@kclairerogers) June 6, 2023

Something tells me this is why Rory McIlroy stopped talking about PGA Tour vs. LIV a few weeks back...
— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) June 6, 2023

Good time make a golf show! https://t.co/AQZc4KGOdY
— Chad Mumm (@chadmumm) June 6, 2023

Legitimately just checked the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1st.
— Hally Leadbetter (@hallylead) June 6, 2023