Merger talks between the PGA Tour and the upstart LIV Golf league, backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, are set to extend into the new year, as both sides require more time to finalize the details of the groundbreaking deal. The initial deadline of December 31st has been pushed back, with hopes of reaching an agreement before the Masters in April. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan were scheduled to meet before Christmas, but no information has been disclosed about the meeting. According to a source, a deal is unlikely to be announced by the end of this week, but there is still optimism that it can be completed by the end of March.

Skepticism surrounding the merger began to arise as the deadline approached, although Tiger Woods, a member of the PGA Tour's policy board, expressed confidence that a deal would eventually be reached. Woods stated that all sides were working together, understanding the importance of finding a resolution for the benefit of the Tour and all parties involved.

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf shocked the sports world when they announced their intention to join forces in June. However, complications arose as U.S. regulators became involved, leading to hearings on Capitol Hill regarding the merger. Talks were put on hold until the Ryder Cup in October, and there were reported frustrations from the Saudis over certain issues, including the power of the PGA Tour's policy board to veto any deal.

In the midst of ongoing negotiations with LIV Golf, the PGA Tour also revealed that they were close to finalizing a potential partnership with Strategic Sports Group (SSG), a consortium of U.S. professional team owners. SSG is expected to invest $3 billion into the Tour, further complicating the already complex merger discussions.

With the deadline now extended into 2024, the scrutiny and focus on the merger will only intensify. Questions regarding the coexistence of U.S. investment and Saudi money, as well as the operational dynamics between the two golf leagues, remain unanswered. Additionally, the Saudis' continued efforts to recruit PGA Tour players add another layer of uncertainty to the negotiations. As both sides continue to work towards a deal, the golfing world eagerly awaits the outcome of these high-stakes discussions.