Jordan Spieth said players on the PGA Tour board were “encouraged” to meet with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund as part of ongoing discussions about a merger with LIV Golf.
Negotiations continue between the PGA Tour and the PIF, which funds the fledgling LIV Tour, toward a deal that could end the game’s split.
They failed to reach an agreement before a deadline of late 2023.
“We are encouraged to eventually meet with them,” Spieth said.
The American was responding to a question about a Golfweek article that said the tour’s player directors were expected to follow Commissioner Jay Monahan during his meeting with PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who is also chairman of Newcastle United.
Spieth is one of six player directors on the PGA Tour board of directors, alongside Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Webb Simpson and Peter Malnati.
Asked when a meeting was going to take place, the former world number one added: “I’m not sure I can say much more, other than we’re encouraged to potentially meet them.
“But at the same time, we probably think our members should know the times and what might happen…
“I can’t say much more about it, but we are encouraged…I think [it] is probably a good thing that the entire board [meet] if there is any potential for negotiation.”
The emergence of the LIV Tour in 2022 has fractured men’s professional golf.
Several top players, including Masters champion Jon Rahm, have been attracted to its huge prize pools and no-cut events, which include a team format.
The split means several of the world’s best will not compete at this week’s Players Championship in Florida, where Spieth was speaking.
Rory McIlroy, who is playing in the tournament, has expressed concerns that “fans are losing interest” in watching golf due to the fragmented nature of the men’s professional game.
Monahan also admitted that fans were “tired of hearing about strife, money and who gets what,” but insisted discussions were “accelerating” toward a “positive outcome.”