Golf's unification is inevitable, says DP World chief Pelley

Outgoing DP World Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley said on Sunday that it is only a matter of time before professional golf's rival tours join forces to form a unified entity, as the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continue to work on merger plans.

Pelley, who will be succeeded by current European Tour Deputy CEO and Executive Director Guy Kinnings on April 2, has advocated for a PGA Tour-LIV partnership backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

He told The Times that he is "convinced the game will be unified".

"Whether it be in six months, a year, two years or 10 years, I think people are coming to the realisation that a collective product is in the best interest of global golf," Pelley said.

"It is the only way growth and prize funds continue at this level. It is inevitable."

Pelley, who is unlikely to see the deal before leaving, will take over as President and CEO of MLSE, whose brands include the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA's Toronto Raptors.

"Would I love to stay and see it through? Yes. But you can't control timing," he added.

Oil-rich Saudi Arabia launched LIV Golf in 2022, dividing the golf world.

Last June, the PGA Tour, PIF, and Europe's DP World Tour announced a framework agreement to consolidate their commercial operations into a for-profit entity called PGA Tour Enterprises, and tensions between the players began to ease.

SportsLigue