Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Morikawa discussed his feelings about the PGA Tour’s ongoing negotiations with the Saudi PIF at The Sentry.
Collin Morikawa is not happy with PGA Tour brass.
The two-time major champion is tired of receiving ‘fluff’ e-mails that provide generic bafflegab instead of concrete specifics.
“I hope everything comes together and we’re able to all play together at some point in some time in some way, but there’s so much back and forth, the e-mails we get is, it’s all fluff,” Morikawa said of the tour’s ongoing negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
“There’s no point in reading these e-mails anymore that we get. Players are saying one thing, and then they say something else some other time.”
The self-imposed deadline of Dec. 31, 2023, between the PGA Tour and the PIF has come and gone.
On Jun. 6, 2023, the two sides mutually agreed to end lawsuits, settle their differences, and strike a deal by the end of the calendar year.
But with so many variables at stake, including tournament scheduling, player reinstatement, and player equity within professional golf’s new structure, negotiations dragged on.
Reports indicate that an agreement will now emerge by the 2024 Masters.
Photo by Ben Jared/PGA Tour
Collin Morikawa signs autographs following his opening round at The 2024 Sentry.
And yet, details on what has—and what has not been—discussed have been kept under wraps. Even for veteran PGA Tour players like Morikawa.
“At this point, I think just deals need to be made, and we all need to get back to playing golf,” Morikawa added.
“It is what it is. Guys make their decisions to go one way. I’ve never had an issue with it; I’ve never had an issue with anything. Everyone makes their own decision. But I do miss playing with everyone at one time.”
Jon Rahm recently joined LIV Golf, which created speculation for many other stars bolting to the Saudi-backed circuit.
Perhaps others will do so in the near future, reaping the rewards of the endless capital that the PIF possesses.
Golf will remain divided until an agreement comes about—and that is not good for the health of the sport.
For only four weeks out of the year, the top players compete side by side.
“That’s why the majors have been fun over the past year, two years,” Morikawa said.
“It’s nice to see some of these guys, right, because it’s, that was normal when I turned pro. I never thought it was going to be anything different. Not that it takes away from these fields or the PGA Tour, but there are great players in other parts of the world, and I think we miss that.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
