PGA Tour and DP World Tour strengthen relationship in warning to Saudi-backed LIV golf rebels

The battle lines between the establishment and the Saudi-backed LIV golf rebels were drawn ever more clearly on Tuesday when the PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced a considerable strengthening of their ‘strategic alliance’.

The latter body ended all speculation they have been talking to LIV officials with a blistering attack on the Saudis by chief executive Keith Pelley.

‘We hear them talk about growing the game but I’m perplexed at how that works,’ said Pelley. 

‘In Formula One they work within the eco-system of the sport, as they do in the Premier League and women’s golf, but they do not in men’s golf. 

‘What they are doing is detrimental to the game.’

The strengthening of the relationship between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour is a warning to the LIV rebels

Phil Mickelson is among the high-profile players to have quit the PGA Tour to join the LIV series

It was Pelley who brought the Saudis into the sport with an event in Jeddah that was part of the DP schedule from 2019 for three years. 

Now, the two sides have not spoken for 12 months but Pelley left the door if not exactly open, at least ajar.

‘If they changed course and worked within the current eco-system, I’d be open to having a conversation if it helped the game,’ he said.

A joint press conference with the PGA Tour to announce the ‘historic’ pact was scheduled as Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed were due to speak at the second LIV event in Oregon.

PGA Tour chief executive Jay Monahan opened his cheque book again with about $250million going to the DP Tour. The Americans have also increased their stake in DP Tour Productions to 40 per cent.

DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley has slammed the LIV defectors in a blistering attack

Americans Pat Perez and Reed said on Tuesday the PGA Tour had only itself to blame for losing players to the Saudi-backed breakaway LIV Golf Invitational Series, ahead of a tournament at Oregon’s Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

Sitting alongside four-times major winner Brooks Koepka, Perez and 2018 Masters winner Reed ripped into the PGA Tour and its commissioner, Monahan, and said the blame for their departure lay at the feet of the golf organising body.

‘Monahan just shut it out from the start. Didn’t want to listen, didn’t want to take a meeting,’ said Perez, a 46-year-old, three-time PGA Tour winner.

‘They didn’t listen to the players. Somehow, the tour, they keep talking about “Oh yea, we work for you, we work for the players.” But it’s the opposite. Seems like we work for them. We don’t have a say in anything.’

Earlier this month, the PGA Tour suspended members who joined LIV Golf, with Monahan saying they had ‘decided to turn their backs’ on the tour.

Patrick Reed spoke on Tuesday ahead of a tournament at Oregon’s Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club

Asked if the tour could have done anything to keep them, Reed responded: ‘Listen to the players for once.’

‘We should be able to do whatever we want, we’re independent contractors,’ said Perez.

LIV Golf participants have faced a barrage of criticism from fans and fellow golfers over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Saudi Arabia’s government denies accusations of human rights abuses.

‘This group has provided me an opportunity to play golf and have a different schedule,’ said Perez. ‘That’s my only concern.’

With Portland the second of eight events that will offer up purses totaling $255 million, LIV promises its competitors more money with far fewer tournaments on the calendar.

Perez said at his age, after decades on the road missing time with his family, getting the call from LIV was like ‘winning the lottery’.

‘I’m a 30- to 33-week guy every year I’ve done it,’ he said. ‘And now I don’t have to.’