The PGA Tour is "expected to announce that the deadline for the merger negotiations" with the Saudi Public Investment Fund is "to be extended, with hopes that a deal can now be reached before the Masters in April." Earlier this month, PGA Tours policy board member Tiger Woods "insisted that they were still aiming to meet" the original Dec. 31 deadline. The Saudis "became frustrated with the progress" and by the fact that pros on the policy board had "gained control of veto powers that could still scupper any deal." Signing Jon Rahm to LIV Golfwas "widely seen as a shot across the Tour’s bows." PIF Gov. Yasir Al-Rumayyan was "scheduled to meet with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan just before Christmas, although no details have emerged" (London TELEGRAPH, 12/28).
