Donald Trump has already set out his LIV Golf stall amid PGA Tour merger help

Donald Trump did not mince phrases about his views on the PGA Tour and Jay Monahan earlier than internet hosting the commissioner and prime golfers on the White Home.

On Thursday, Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, serving as participant administrators, joined Monahan within the Oval Workplace to speak with Trump about uniting the world {of professional} golf. After a earlier assembly with Trump earlier within the month, Monahan was hopeful that discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund (PIF)—the monetary muscle behind LIV Golf—have been drawing to an in depth.

Throughout a Black Historical past Month occasion, Trump praised Woods and Scott for his or her achievements out and in of golf.

“Tiger Woods, he is an unbelievable athlete, an unbelievable man. Thanks for being with us in the present day, Tiger. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he proudly wears in the present day,” Trump mentioned. “And likewise Adam [Scott], thanks very a lot. Adam, as Tiger will let you know, is likely one of the best gamers of all time. One of many nice trendy gamers. He has 32 wins worldwide and successful the Masters additionally. He is additionally one thing very particular and an ideal golfer.”

Trump’s acknowledgment of Monahan was notably extra succinct: “Jay, thanks very a lot. Recognize it very a lot.” The noticeably transient remark raised questions on Trump’s present relationship with Monahan.

In July 2022, Trump seemingly drew Monahan’s ire by publicly encouraging golfers to go away the PGA Tour.

“All of these golfers that stay ‘loyal’ to the very disloyal PGA, in all of its completely different types, can pay a giant worth when the inevitable MERGER with LIV comes, and also you get nothing however a giant ‘thanks’ from PGA officers who’re making Thousands and thousands of {Dollars} a 12 months,” Trump wrote on Fact Social. “In case you do not take the cash now, you’re going to get nothing after the merger takes place, and solely say how sensible the unique signees have been.”

DON’T MISS

Regardless of Trump’s previous feedback, Monahan claimed that the 78-year-old helped facilitate the eventual decision between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, describing one in all his current White Home visits as “very productive.

“I believe you all have been round him sufficient to understand how passionate he’s concerning the sport of golf,” Monahan mentioned of Trump. For him to answer our request to sit down down and discuss how we obtain what he said publicly as a objective, which is the sport of golf working below one tour with all the highest gamers enjoying on that one tour, was an ideal alternative. We had a very productive dialog.”

Talking about Trump’s involvement within the negotiations, Monahan said: “Primary, you take a look at his ardour for the sport, his information and understanding of the sport, he is very accustomed to the PGA TOUR, he is very accustomed to the crew on the Public Funding Fund. Like us, he has a really clear image of what ought to occur and he desires to assist. The sport signifies that a lot to him. And he is the final word dealmaker, so having him within the combine is a good factor for the sport.”