In the last two days various news have followed one another which constitute, in various capacities, significant signals of the fact that the time for the truce between the Tours could have struck. The most important news came from Dubai where, on the sidelines of the Desert Classic, Danny Van Otterdijk, director of communication for DP World, main sponsor of the European Tour, made some very relevant statements.
Golf, war and peace
In stating that the dialogue between DP World and LIV Golf is open, he then specified: “We are in close contact with our friends at LIV Golf as golf develops in our area” “The situation needs to be sorted out in the coming months, and we will leave the task of the governing bodies (of Tours, NDR) to proceed with this settlement” “I personally believe that what LIV Golf has done is bring the game of golf back into the conversation” “More and more people are asking, ‘What’s going on in golf?’ and ‘What is this new Tour going to do?'” “Some like it, some don’t, and that’s understandable, but at least (LIV) got people talking about golf again” “We believe that sensitivity will prevail and that negotiations will be entered into which will lead to the integration of the calendars” “It will be good for the game of golf.” Statements of this nature released by a senior executive who deals with communications at this precise moment are a clear signal.
But he’s not the only one. Signs of impatience with the general situation have also arrived from the players. In a tweet two days ago, Thomas Pieters stigmatized the fact that he was unable to participate in the Genesis Invitational, despite his position in the World Ranking.
Even from the replies to the tweet, the problem of the performance of the Strategic Alliance between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour clearly emerges. Over time, an imbalance in favor of the PGA Tour appears more and more evident.
Another signal comes from the lineup of LIV Golf. According to reports from The Fire Pit Collective, Brooks Koepka regrets his decision to join the Saudi League. It would seem that the American took this decision at a time when his fitness and lack of results would have led him to guarantee himself a certain income through the entry fee ($100 million) paid to him by the LIV.
But, now that he has recovered the best physical condition, also driven by the victory in Jeddah, in the penultimate tournament of the 2022 LIV Golf season, Koepka would be rethinking the future of his career. Let’s say that all three Commissioners have excellent food for thought which, I hope, they will not ignore. The road to truce is open.
