£1bn deal, capturing European fan favourite, and PGA Tour coup – LIV Golf’s 2025 dream

Golf’s ugly civil war is nearly at an end. The division and uncertainty that has plagued the sport since the launch of LIV Golf on the summer of 2022 could soon be a thing of the past as talks continue over an historic merger with the PGA Tour. It’s a development that few would have seen coming 12 months ago, with the two circuits seemingly at odds with each other as the Saudi-backed tour continued to raid the status quo with big money offers for top stars.

But finally, all parties have got around the table in a bid to negotiate a way that they can exist in harmony moving forward, and end the bitterness and disdain that has been apparent on both sides. And with golf chiefs in America and Europe now seemingly deciding they would rather work with LIV Golf and not against it, Express Sport looks at the dream scenario for the controversial venture in 2025…..

Getting a deal done
Of course, before golf fans get excited about the world’s best regularly going toe-to-toe again, a deal between LIV, the PGA Tour, and DP World Tour needs to be struck. According to reports, PIF are set to stump up £1billion to end the conflict, which could lift the restrictions that rebel players currently endure.

The exact details of the agreement are yet to be made public, but LIV tournaments are currently not recognised by the Official World Golf Rankings. As a result, a number of their players have repeatedly missed out on major championships, relying heavily on automatic invites based on being former champions.

These are two issues that LIV chiefs will almost certainly have made demands about along with their financial offer. And seeing their players get more exposure in the big events, not to mention the Ryder Cup next September, is exactly the kind of publicity the breakaway tour craves.

Capturing Viktor Hovland
Let’s not be fooled here. A confirmed deal will allow the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to coexist and undoubtedly be positive for the game, but it doesn’t mean everything will be sweetness and nice for evermore.

LIV will continue to make big money offers to try and snare the game’s best. And they continue to be linked to one of the game’s brightest stars, Viktor Hovland, who enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2023 and is now ranked as high as No.3 in the world.

Signing Hovland would not only signify a hammer blow to their competition, but would also be a long term investment. The Norwegian’s peak years appear ahead of him, and jumping ship would essentially send a message that the LIV tour is the place to be for the world’s best.

Taking PGA Tour seats
Saudi bosses working with the PGA Tour now seems inevitable. What is less clear, is the extent to which they will be running the show, with the £1bn investment reportedly giving PIF an 11 per cent stake in the Tour, while they will also get two seats on the board for their money, including the role of chairman.

If such a development materialised, the impact could be seismic. LIV would essentially get a major say in the running of tournaments and the golf calendar, meaning rebel events would be far more likely to be prioritised and given top billing.