Players at this week's RBC Canadian Open have learned about the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger the same way the rest of the world did - via Twitter - and the initial reaction was not positive.
Callum Tarren says he and other players onsite had no indication the merger was coming, and were shocked by the reversal of course by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
"It's disappointing being a PGA Tour member," he told the Golf Channel. "Who knows what's going to happen?
"There's so many rumors flying around, so we'll just have to see how it plays out."
Tarren is ranked 159th in the world and has missed nine of his past 11 cuts. He likely didn't turn down a huge contract offer from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, but he's certain those who did will not react well to news of the merger.
"The guys who've stayed loyal to the PGA Tour, it's kind of a kick in the teeth for them," Tarren said. "Obviously, Rory [McIlroy] was a huge advocate of the PGA Tour, and now it looks like all of this hard work and sticking up for the PGA Tour was just left by the wayside."
Tarren says the initial reaction from PGA Tour members at the RBC Canadian open is that of shock and disappointment, and it appears the big winners out of the past two years are those who did leave for LIV.
"There was a lot of animosity towards the LIV guys and them leaving, but it looks like they're the ones that are smiling," he said. "That decision is now backed up by what happened."
Monahan sent a memo to PGA Tour members, outlining the "framework" agreement and invited them to a players' meeting on Wednesday (NZ time).
Canada's Adam Hadwin was the first player in the pressroom at Toronto. He learned of the merger from Monahan's email to the players and says that while he wants to learn more details, "everybody probably saw eventually something happening" between the rival tours.
"I think that what's transpired like the last year-and-a-half and the rhetoric, not only on this side, but on that side as well, I think it's difficult to look at that and say, 'How did we get here now?'" Hadwin said.
"I don't even know if, at this point, you could even get the answers that you would want. I don't even know if they have those answers yet."
Tarren has been asked if there is anything that can ease the feeling of massive disappointment among the membership.
"I have no idea, if I'm being truthfully honest," he said. "It's only the early stages.
"It just happened, so there's a lot of fresh thoughts and rumours flying around, but I think we just have to attend the meeting at 4pm and see what Jay has to say. I'm sure he's going to get some pretty sticky questions coming his way."
Hadwin has repeatedly mentioned the top players in the world competing against each other more often as driving force between any reconciliation between the tours.
"Anybody who thought about it logically would see that something was going to have to happen," he said. "You couldn't, you can't - fracture is a strong word - but can't take away the best players in the game and have them at separate events, and only be together four weeks a year.
"It's not putting the best golf product forward. However, again, happening this quick and in this way is surprising."
No details have been given as to how the agreement will impact the current competitive golf landscape, including eligibility for this year's Ryder Cup, though the parties have said they will work in the coming months to finalise terms of the merger.
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.
Much of the backlash centres around the alleged involvement of the Saudi Arabian Government in a multitude of human rights violations, including the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
The announcement of the merger includes an agreement to end all pending litigation between the participating parties.
Additionally, the Public Investment Fund will make a capital investment into the new entity to facilitate its growth and success.
"Today is a very exciting day for this special game and the people it touches around the world," said PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. "We are proud to partner with the PGA Tour to leverage PIF's unparalleled success and track record of unlocking value, and bringing innovation and global best practices to business and sectors worldwide."
Among the more popular players who made the move to LIV Golf are Hall of Fame golfer Phil Mickelson, former world No.1 Dustin Johnson, reigning PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka and 2022 British Open winner Cameron Smith.
"Awesome day today," tweeted Mickelson, whose public image took a hit in February 2022, when the author of an unauthorised biography released excerpts from the book in which he called the Saudis "scary", but said he was willing to look past their human rights records to gain leverage with the PGA Tour.
Some PGA Tour players have tweeted to express their surprise at not been informed of the agreement, before its announcement.
"I love finding out morning news on Twitter," wrote two-time Major champion Collin Morikawa.
Canadian world No.67 Mackenzie Hughes wrote: "Nothing like finding out through Twitter that we're merging with a tour that we said we'd never do that with."
Former US President Donald Trump, who owns three courses that are part of LIV Golf's 14-event schedule in 2023, celebrated the deal in a Truth social post, using all caps.
"Great news from LIV Golf. A big, beautiful and glamorous deal for the wonderful world of golf.
"Congrats to all!!!"
Since its launch, LIV players have only competed alongside their former colleagues at the Majors, as those four blue-riband events on the golf calendar are not run by either the PGA Tour or DP World Tour, but by independent institutions.
Many of those who accepted lucrative signing bonuses to join LIV Golf said their reason for making the leap a desire to play fewer events and spend more time with their families.
Reuters
