PGA Tour & LIV Golf: Unity Unlikely as Viewership Plummets!

Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, USA - In the competitive landscape of professional golf, the rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continues to make headlines. Notably, Tom Watson, an eight-time major champion, recently expressed skepticism about any potential reunification between the two tours. Watson indicated that complexities remain unresolved and that “I don’t see a real working mechanism for the two tours to get back together.” His comments came during a ceremonial tee shot to kick off the 89th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.

The PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which backs LIV Golf, have been on a rocky path since a surprising announcement made by commissioner Jay Monahan nearly two years ago. Recently, the Tour reportedly turned down a staggering $1.5 billion offer from the PIF, leaving many to wonder about the future of the tours. According to Watson, the desire for reunification exists among many, but the practicalities of such an agreement seem distant.

Challenges for LIV Golf

LIV Golf, which was founded in 2021 and is also funded by PIF, finds itself grappling with viewer engagement issues. Recently, NBC Sports chief Sam Flood did not mince words, labeling LIV Golf as almost irrelevant and critiquing its performance. He highlighted that opportunities for gaining traction were missed during notable events such as the LIV Golf Miami tournament, which only averaged 603,000 viewers over the weekend, a stark contrast to the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open, which drew 2.2 million viewers. Flood’s pointed remarks add to the mounting concerns regarding LIV Golf’s place in the competitive golfing landscape.

Watson’s outlook seems to be reflected across the board. Even with 12 LIV Golf members participating in the Masters—the fewest since its inception—interest remains lukewarm. Jon Rahm, who holds a lifetime exemption, echoed these sentiments, indicating that the prospect of reunification is not on the horizon. The challenges are further highlighted by viewing figures, which show that LIV Golf is struggling to capture significant audiences. Their broadcasts average about 175,000 viewers, dramatically lower compared to the PGA Tour’s average of 3.1 million on networks like CBS and NBC.

Viewer Engagement and the Future of Golf

As the 2025 golf season stretches into its second half, discussions about „momentum“ in professional golf take center stage. However, there remains a lack of clear indicators of what constitutes this momentum. Factors like sponsorship deals, crowd sizes, and social media engagement can all play a role. Yet, the most telling evidence of the tours’ standings comes from viewership numbers. The PGA Tour’s ratings during head-to-head broadcasts outshine LIV’s by more than 17 times, a disparity comparable to the NBA’s opening night versus an NHL game.

The PGA Tour is not just securing viewership; it’s also making structural changes to promote new talent effectively. Jack Nicklaus emphasized that while a desire for the two tours to unite exists, the PGA Tour is currently thriving independently of LIV Golf. He highlighted the Tour’s ability to adapt and promote its players successfully, reaffirming its prominent status in the golfing community.

Overall, the divide between PGA Tour and LIV Golf seems as prominent as ever. With differing ratings, viewer engagement, and ongoing negotiations that appear to lead nowhere, the question lingers: what does the future hold for professional golf? Whether cooperation or continued rivalry lies ahead, one thing is clear—a lot of water is under the bridge, and there’s still a long way to go.

For more updates on this story, you can read about it on Yahoo Sports, Sportskeeda, and Golf.com.