LIV and PGA Tour have settled their bitter feud and have agreed to merge in a deal that has shocked the golf industry.

The two huge entities have been in an ongoing legal battle since the LIV’s Saudi-backed plans were made public in 2019.

But in a dramatic turn of events, the golf businesses have signed an agreement that would see the competitor’s squash pending litigation – helping them to move forward as a larger golf enterprise.

And SunSport has the reasons why.

Why are LIV Golf and the PGA Tour merging?

LIV Golf and PGA Tour are merging to create an organisation that will benefit everyone in the golf world.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said: “After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love.

“This transformational partnership recognises the immeasurable strength of the PGA Tour’s history, legacy and pro-competitive model and combines with it the DP World Tour and LIV – including the team golf concept – to create an organisation that will benefit golf’s players, commercial and charitable partners and fans.”

How is LIV golf different from the PGA?

LIV golf is played over three rounds, unlike the four that is customary in PGA tour events.

As well as this, every player who takes part in a LIV golf event will get a share of the prize fund, even if they finish in last place.

The LIV tour also has more financial benefits than the PGA tour, with bigger prize money as well as lucrative contracts for those who join.

And as a result, several top players made the switch to LIV such as Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson with mega-money playing fees on offer.

However, the likes of Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were among those to pledge their loyalty to the PGA.