US President Donald Trump met Thursday with men’s professional golf leaders, including Tiger Woods and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, the latest sign the sport is moving toward ending the split caused by Saudi-funded LIV Golf.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which backs the upstart league, joined the meeting, according to the White House, along with PGA Tour player director Adam Scott.
Trump revealed the discussions at a Black History Month reception at the White House, during which he brought Woods on stage.
“We had some interesting discussions,” Trump said.
The White House declined to comment further on the meeting, the second time the president has convened the parties this month. Monahan and Scott also attended the event.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, we have initiated a discussion about the reunification of golf,” Monahan, Woods and Scott said in a statement. “We are committed to moving as quickly as possible and will share additional details as appropriate.”
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Trump is a fervent golfer who has become personally involved in reunifying the men’s professional game, which has been divided since the launch of LIV in 2021. The president also has business interests at stake; with a longtime desire to host competitions featuring the world’s top golfers.
The PGA Tour announced a framework agreement with the Saudi PIF in June 2023 with the goal of bringing the sport back together, but progress has been slow in part due to a Justice Department antitrust review of the proposed agreement.
The PGA Tour said on Feb 6 after a meeting two days earlier with Trump that the president had “brought us closer” to a final deal.
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“We asked the President to get involved for the good of the game, the good of the country, and for all the countries involved,” Monahan, Woods and Scott said in a joint statement.
Trump’s properties have been the site of several LIV Golf tournaments, including an upcoming competition in April at his Doral resort in Florida.
The PGA of America, which is a separate entity from its namesake pro tour, pulled its planned major championship from Trump’s New Jersey club following the Jan 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by the president’s supporters.
Trump has previously groused that The Open Championship has not returned to his Turnberry property in Scotland since he purchased it in 2014.
Trump on Monday spoke at an investment conference sponsored by the PIF, which was also attended by al-Rumayyan.
