Golf fan Donald Trump used his positing as President of the United States to get involved in one of his favourite sports this week. A working session was held at the White House to try and end a long-standing rift between the PGA and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-backed LIV Golf.
Tiger Woods was granted an audience with the President at the White House to try and call a truce alongside PGA commissioner Jay Monahan, PGA board member Adam Scott and representatives from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. President Trump - an avid golfer himself - got himself involved in a bid to bring back peace within the sport.
The row has escalated in recent years after Saudi-backed LIV Golf has siphoned off several top PGA Tour golfers, leading to suspensions, lawsuits and harsh words among some of golf's top players. But the PGA Tour said that after a meeting with Mr Trump, it was closer to reaching a deal with the Public Investment Fund, the Saudi backers of LIV Golf.
The meeting appears to have moved the 'reunification of golf' closer and while negotiations are ongoing, there are said to be a number of sticking points still to iron out in any agreement going forward. One of these is expected to be at what point the LIV Tour is held in the season.
President Trump welcomed Woods back at the White House, after a previous reception which saw the pair meet to celebrate Black History Month. Woods and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan have since released a statement saying they are "committed to the reunification of golf".
"We have just concluded a constructive working session at the White House with President Trump and H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan,” they said in a statement. "Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, we have initiated a discussion about the reunification of golf. We are committed to moving as quickly as possible and will share additional details as appropriate.
