A deal between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is still yet to be signed, as the world of professional golf remains divided

Newly-appointed DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings has admitted than any real change at the top of the world of professional golf will not be implemented until after 2025.

The sport has been divided in two since the formation of LIV Golf in the summer of 2022, with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour taking action against players who opted to sign with the Saudi-backed league. Last summer it appeared the dispute was set to come to an end though, with the PGA Tour announcing a shock framework agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).

With the DP World Tour also included, it was expected that the two rivals would negotiate a deal that would see the world of professional golf reunite, but 10 months on a finalised agreement is yet to be made.

Kinnings – who has replaced Keith Pelley at the top of European golf – opened up on what the future holds for pro golf, but revealed changes will take time. “We know [a deal] has to be done ASAP,” he said. “I don’t see too much changing in 2025. 2026 is when we will see significant changes.

“To do that we need 2025 to prepare. I’m not setting any deadlines. But to plan a new product for 2026 you really need to have it done by the end of this year. Everyone needs to be flexible and compromise. Once we have the right solution we need to move fast.”

As things stand, the PGA Tour have banned all of its members that have opted to sign on the dotted line with Greg Norman and co, which has seen the likes of Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm punished. The DP World Tour have adopted a similar approach, albeit not as cut throat.