Fans yearning for an end to professional golf’s civil war are hungry for any sign that the long-running negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf’s backer, are making progress. That’s why PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, playing in the same pairing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland earlier this month, received so much publicity. The fact that they were together seemed to suggest that discussions were continuing.

On a related note, the news that Monahan was in Saudi Arabia this week for a summit hosted by Al-Rumayyan appears to be another indicator that talks are potentially continuing. Golf Digest has confirmed what was first reported by Bunkered.co.ukthat Monahan, along with a few other PGA Tour “team members,” were present at the Future Investment Initiative (FII), an annual conference hosted by the PIF in Riyadh. Presumably, Monahan and Al-Rumayyan may have met at some point.

Additionally, Bunkered reports that the two will be together in a nighttime pro-am outing in conjunction with the Aramco Ladies Team Series event also taking place this week in Saudi Arabia. According to Bunkered, Monahan and Al-Rumayyan are expected to play together at the outing, with LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman in attendance.

At the opening of the FII conference, Al-Rumayyan made news by announcing that the PIF would reduce the amount spent on international investments to focus more resources on the domestic economy. What this means for PIF’s involvement in LIV Golf or, in the future, with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour if it becomes a partner with PGA Tour Enterprises, is unclear. The Financial Times reported that Al-Rumayyan’s commitment concerns future spending and that ongoing investments would not be affected.

The exact situation regarding a possible PGA Tour/PIF agreement remains very unclear. Monahan would not comment on the status of negotiations when meeting the media after playing at Dunhill Links; he has already stated that he does not want to negotiate in the media.

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf are moving forward with their own separate schedules for 2025. LIV has announced the first four events it will host next year and the remainder of its 14-tournament schedule is expected to be announced by the end of the year. ‘year.