Greg Norman and Tiger Woods 'sacrificed' in stunning golf merger

The golf world has reacted to the shock announcement the PGA Tour will merge with LIV Golfr after a long-running legal battle and the sport has been left baffled over how Greg Norman and Tiger Woods were reportedly left in the dark over the deal. On Wednesday, after nearly two years of bitter words and falling outs, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced the two golf tours would end the biggest rivalry the sport has faced.

"After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love," Monahan said, who was previously a huge critic of LIV. "How did we go from a confrontation to now being partners? We just realised we were better off together than we were fighting or apart."

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Except Monahan's stunning announcement has left a number of PGA golfers fuming. And the golf world also waits for Woods and Rory McIlroy to break their silence after becoming the biggest advocates for the traditional tour.

McIlroy stood up for the PGA Tour and entered into countless war-of-words against LIV Golf leader Greg Norman. Woods joined him and the bitter feud took a turn with stars such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Australia's Cameron Smith all leaving for around $150 million.

Woods then made a huge statement and claimed their would be no compromise with LIV Golf going forward if Norman was involved. Norman then labelled Woods as the 'mouthpiece' of the PGA. However, in a stunning twist, neither Woods or Norman were involved in the deal struck by the two golf bodies.

Monahan's concession to merge the tours is a huge win for LIV Golf and the players that joined the breakaway group. Norman admitted earlier this year that he could see the merger happening and it was only a matter of time. And he was right.

"When all this dust settles, the game of golf is going to be better. You can have both and I am looking forward to having both," he told Golf.com. Admittedly a number of players have reportedly claimed they feel betrayed after sticking with the PGA Tour, only for the bosses to turn around and join with LIV Golf.

And the Australian tweeted his enjoyment of the announcement. "A great day in global golf for players and fans alike. The journey continues," he wrote.

Woods and McIlroy could feel betrayed - like many of the golfing world - after becoming the leaders of the traditional movement. Neither took whopping amounts of money to join the breakaway tour and fought for their beliefs. Norman claimed Woods turned down close to $1 billion to join the Saudi-backed league.

But in another twist, Sports Illustrated Golf reported Norman is also not in the plans of the merger going forward having only learned about the deal late. While he has helped lead the charge in revolutionising golf - whether you see it as good or bad move - Norman could be set to be part of the collateral going forward.

Norman wrote, 'the journey continues' in his celebratory tweet, but reports suggest he might not be involved. Woods and Norman's lack of role in the deal has left the tennis world absolutely stunned in the ongoing drama show that is golf.

Golf world unaware of bombshell PGA and LIV Golf announcement

Incredibly, in the modern media landscape, the deal struck between the two parties came together without any leak and little warning. No details were given as to how the agreement will impact the current competitive golf landscape, including eligibility for this year's Ryder Cup.

The LIV Golf series is bankrolled by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and critics have accused it of being a vehicle for the country to attempt to improve its reputation in the face of criticism of its human rights record. The announcement of the merger includes an agreement to end all pending litigation between the participating parties.

The news was met with mixed reactions. "Awesome day today," Phil Mickelson - who led the player movement to LIV Golf - tweeted on Tuesday.

Some PGA Tour players took to social media to express their surprise at having not been informed of the agreement before its announcement. "I love finding out morning news on Twitter," wrote two-times major champion Collin Morikawa.

with AAP

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