Golf icon John Daly has hailed President Donald Trump’s influence in helping to end the sport’s civil war between the PGA Tour and LIV.
Talks are still ongoing over a merger between the original tour and the Saudi-backed breakaway league, after many of the world’s top players defected in the wake of big-money offers from the new kid on the block.
In the last few months, Trump has attempted to mediate talks between the two parties, holding meetings at the White House, and PGA Tour icon Daly, 58, has now heaped praise on the president – even crowing him with a new nickname.
‘I just want Jay [PGA Tour commissioner Monahan], and thank God that Daddy Trump is getting involved, because I want it to work out.
‘Because I have friends on the PGA Tour and the LIV Tour, and I want them all to just play. The best players need to play.’
In fact, Daly – who now plies his trade on the PGA Champions Tour – believes there is a simple fix to the problem created by two rival tours.
John Daly has opened up on the impact Donald Trump is having on the game of golf
Daly is friends with the president and called him ‘Daddy Trump’ while discussing his influence
Speaking on the Newsmax show ‘Rob Schmitt Live’, he said: ‘We’re obligated, we have to play in 15 events a year, on the PGA Tour. Our Champions tour is a little less, but to keep our insurance and to keep our 401Ks, our retirement plans going.
‘But you know, hey, if those guys want to go to LIV and they’re going to pay them a lot of money, you’re going to play 29 tournaments because you have to play 15 on our tour, and you got to play 14 on theirs. That’s the end of the solution. Let’s go play golf.
‘Golf’s a global game and everybody should have the opportunity to play … You’re born, you live, and what is it for? To make sure you take care of your family. LIV Golf is taking care of some people’s families, and that’s the way I look at it.’
Speaking ahead of this week’s Players Championship in Florida, PGA Tour chief Monahan provided an update on the current state of talks.
Trump hosted the big players in golf’s civil war for showdown talks at the White House in Feb
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan updated reporters on the latest in Florida this week
Discussions have been ongoing since June 2023 when the first news of a shock merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund emerged.
All parties met at the White House with Trump last month, and Monahan revealed: ‘We’re doing everything we can to bring the two sides together.
‘That said, we will not do so in a way that diminishes the strength of our platform or the very real momentum we have with our fans and partners.
‘While we have removed some hurdles, others remain. But like our fans, we still share the same sense of urgency to get to a resolution. Our team is fully committed to reunification.’
