Jay Monahan's LIV Golf u-turn complete after PGA Tour boss shares embrace with Saudi chief

Jay Monahan is paired with the CEO of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the opening round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

Any lasting hostilities between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf appear to be over, after Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan embraced ahead of the opening round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Monahan - the commissioner of the PGA Tour - and Al-Rumayyan - the CEO of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) - are both in action at the Pro-Am event on the DP World Tour. The pair are at the centre of the negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF over ending the former's ongoing dispute with LIV.

Not only are both in the same field, but tournament organisers opted to put Monahan and Al-Rumayyan in the same group in round one, joining professionals Billy Horschel and Dean Burmester at Carnoustie.

The event has turned into a monumental one for the world of golf, with the two sides being brought together away from the negotiation table for once. And despite previous differences, the two chiefs were all smiles when getting their first round underway on Thursday morning.

For Monahan it completes quite the u-turn, having previously slammed the formation of the LIV setup, and Saudi Arabia's investment into golf. Following the first LIV event at Centurion in June 2022, Monahan announced all Tour members competing on the breakaway circuit had been banned.

"Their participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf event is in violation of our Tournament Regulations,” Monahan said of the bans in a statement at the time “The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our Regulations.”

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Further hitting out at the PGA Tour's new-found rival, the commissioner added: "I am certain our fans and partners – who are surely tired of all this talk of money, money and more money – will continue to be entertained and compelled by the world-class competition you display each and every week, where there are true consequences for every shot you take and your rightful place in history whenever you reach that elusive winner’s circle...

"This week, the RBC Canadian Open is a shining example of what you have created with the PGA Tour: a star-studded field, a committed sponsor, sold-out hospitality offerings, record crowds and a global broadcast distribution. These elements are part of the Tour’s DNA, built by the likes of Jack and Arnie, furthered by Tiger and countless others – whose legacies are inextricably linked, with each other and with the PGA Tour. This collective legacy can’t be bought or sold.”

Just one year later however, it appears Monahan and his fellow Tour bosses did have a price when it came to Saudi involvement. Just over 15 months ago, Monahan and Al-Rumayyan shocked the world of golf, sitting alongside each other to announced a framework agreement between the two rival sides.

Since then PGA Tour Enterprises and PIF have remained in ongoing negotiations to resolve their issue, but updates on the talks have been sparse. Following their first public appearance at Carnoustie however, it appears any previous bad blood between the two bosses has now been put to one side.