Adam Scott says PGA Tour, LIV Golf differences mean deal 'may not be ultimately possible'
Tom D'Angelo- Adam Scott believes the PGA Tour and LIV Golf operate very differently, making a potential deal challenging.
- Scott, who has attended meetings between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, acknowledges the difficulty in finding a balance acceptable to all parties involved.
- He emphasizes the PGA Tour's responsibility to protect its brand and the sport of golf as a whole.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Adam Scott added a bit more insight to the ongoing discussions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, saying Tuesday the products "work in very different ways" and a deal "may not be ultimately possible."
Scott, who is from Australia, is the only PGA Tour player to accompany commissioner Jay Monahan for both meetings in the White House with Donald Trump.
They were joined at the second meeting by Tiger Woods and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the head of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which finances LIV Golf.
"I think the biggest hang up is in how we see the highest level of competitive golf going forward," Scott said ahead of The Players Championship.
"The product of LIV and the product of the PGA Tour work in very different ways. So I think the challenge is figuring out how that can come together and be really reunification, which is kind of what everyone is shooting for."
Scott, a player director on the PGA Tour's Player Advisory Council, was asked whether he believes goals of LIV not aligning with those of the PGA Tour could be a reason for the hold up in a deal.
"I think it is part of the stumbling block," he said. "The Tour's being very careful and respectful of everyone and wanting to give everyone, the golf fans and the media and the players, the product that they want.
"But we're starting from two different sides of this, so I think it's hard to find the balance that's acceptable for everybody. And it also may not be ultimately possible."
PGA Tour must look out for itself, protect brand
Like Monahan, Scott reiterated the PGA Tour must look out for itself and protect its brand as it moves forward with the negotiations that started more than 21 months ago.
"I feel like there's more of a feeling like no matter what happens with these conversations and negotiations going forward, the Tour has to move forward as well," Scott said. "It can't just kind of stay in limbo. We need to do the best we can, and I think you're seeing that.
"The Tour's treating this with caution out of the best interests of the professional game and the game in general. It would be irresponsible to be reckless, because we're trying to protect not just the PGA Tour and its competition, but all the other positive influence that it has on the game around the world."
PGA Tour players are more confident with what is happening with the PGA Tour "regardless of the outcome with the PIF," according to Scott.
"I think there's an urgency for a result, no matter what," he said. "It just doesn't need to linger. There are positive things happening in the game and at the PGA Tour and that can continue to happen. We hopefully will get to an outcome soon. That would be what I would like. I guess that signals urgency."