PGA merger with LIV a delicate balancing act, says Dunne

The PGA Tour faces a delicate balancing act in welcoming back LIV Golf players while also ensuring those who stayed loyal to the U.S.-based circuit "feel good” about their decision, PGA Tour board member Jimmy Dunne said.Earlier this week, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and rival Saudi-backed LIV circuit - who have been involved in a bitter fight that had split the sport - announced a shock agreement to merge and form one unified commercial entity.The merger left a sour taste in the mouth of players who stuck with the PGA Tour despite the massive signing bonuses offered by LIV Golf, with Rory McIlroy saying they were made "sacrificial lambs” and should be compensated for their loyalty.Dunne said that once the "venom and self-centred concerns” are dealt with, they hoped they could find a way to reward their golfers while providing a pathway for LIV Golf players back to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour."As we get through that and we come up with a methodology that people can re-enter, when we establish what the criteria will be, there needs to be something that people that didn’t go (to LIV Golf)... feel good about it,” Dunne told Golf Channel."I don’t want it to be so outrageously punitive in nature. I want to try to get a balance and make sure that while everyone’s needs are heard and felt that we do what’s right for the game."We have to make sure that whatever it is that we finalise, that they feel good about their decisions (to remain on the PGA Tour)... I don’t think it’s going to be easy and I don’t think we’re all going to agree, but I think we can get there.”Dunne, who helped broker the merger, also said the PGA Tour was ready to "walk away” if they felt there was anything that would have hurt the game.He added the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) would not control the professional game, especially with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan installed as CEO of the new entity."By definition, as much as I liked the people I dealt with, the game of golf is too important, the legacy of the PGA Tour is too important,” Dunne added."The people that we have in place have too much experience that... there’s no way that we’re going to give up control.”Meanwhile the idea that PGA Tour players who did not defect to LIV Golf should receive some sort of compensation is gaining legs.Chesson Hadley, one of four co-leaders after Thursday’s opening round of the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto, fielded questions about this week’s news that the PGA Tour is merging its commercial enterprises with the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which had been bankrolling LIV Golf.The PIF was able to pry away big-name and small-name players alike with guaranteed money to play for LIV."I know nothing. I know as much as you know,” Hadley told reporters of his knowledge of the tour’s plans.He was then asked if he’d heard any behind-the-scenes conversations with his fellow players."Is it true that (commissioner Jay Monahan) said he’s going to reward those who stayed loyal to the Tour? Did he say that yesterday?” Hadley asked.Monahan said in an interview on "Golf Today” Wednesday that players who turned down LIV to stay loyal to the PGA "will be rewarded.”"I think he said that about Rory (McIlroy) and Tiger (Woods), didn’t he? Anyway, I would like to be rewarded for some loyalty,” said Hadley, the No 297 player in the world.