Jordan Spieth casts doubt over PIF deal: "Some non-negotiables can't be met"

Jordan Spieth is unsure if the PIF can meet certain players' demands in order for a merger deal to be agreed with the PGA Tour.

Johnny Percival

29 Nov 2023

Speaking to the media ahead of the Hero World Challenge, Jordan Spieth revealed he believes there are some non-negotiable factors regarding the PIF merger he doesn't think the investment fund can meet.

Since the proposed merger between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the PGA Tour was shockingly announced earlier this year, there has been widespread speculation over what exactly the outcome will be and what it means for the future of the North American circuit.

However, Spieth's recent comments will undoubtedly cast doubt in the minds of players and media alike as to whether or not an agreement between the two organisations can be met at all.

Discussing his new role on the PGA Tour policy board, Spieth seemed sceptical about the deal and claimed there are certain requirements that players on the Tour have that he doesn't believe the PIF will be able to meet.

Questioned about whether or not he wants the deal to work out, Spieth said:

"I think that I'm not entirely sure yet.. there's some kind of like non-negotiables that I think the players of the PGA Tour should have and I'm not sure that that could be met with PIF.

"I think that there are options that I think could be super beneficial, but I don't know if they're possible."

Speith's opinion on the matter has grown ever more important, having recently filled the absent spot on the PGA Tour's police board left by Rory McIlroy.

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With Tiger Woods also having joined the board this year, Spieth was questioned about his influence in steering the game to where it needs to be, and he gave the 15-time major champion's impact a glowing review.

He said:

"I know he doesn't sleep a lot, but he's spending most of his waking hours thinking about how to better the PGA Tour for the players.

"He's seen the PGA Tour go through a lot of different changes over almost 30 years for him now. He comes with that kind of perspective as well as somehow a way of recognising what can be good for the PGA Tour and its entire membership when he's never been an ordinary member, but it doesn't seem lost on him."

Spieth will be teeing it up alongside Will Zalatoris when the Hero World Challenge begins on Thursday. Zalatoris has recently returned to golf, having overcome a back injury that has kept him on the sidelines for eight months.

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Zalatoris' return to golf has been slightly overshadowed, however, by the highly anticipated return of none other than Woods, who last played competitive golf at The Masters in April before taking an extended break from the game in order to recover from subtalar fusion surgery.

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He will be paired up with good friend Justin Thomas when the first round commences in Albany on Thursday.

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