To merge the two circuits, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia is currently attempting to negotiate an agreement with the PGA Tour, which is based in America.
Harrington, however, is skeptical about the possibility of combining the two and worries that some players may not genuinely wish to play abroad as much as one might think if PIF is successful in securing a deal.
Before the 2024 Open Championship, which he believes he may win a third time, Harrington gave the following explanation: "I have always supported two strong tours. I appreciated the rivalry and competition that existed when Europe was a superpower.
"You can see that with the LIV players they all congratulate each other when they return we went over there in the early 2000s and were winning for Europe in the late 90s."When they emerge, they have a point to prove and a chip on their shoulder, which helps the majors in golf."
"You can see that with the LIV players they all congratulate each other when they return we went over there in the early 2000s and were winning for Europe in the late 90s."When they emerge, they have a point to prove and a chip on their shoulder, which helps the majors in golf."
Harrington continued by expressing reservations about the timing of the merger and his belief that certain celebrities will participate in events just when they feel like it, rather than doing international competition tours.
"There is not enough time for two trips like that," he stated. "They are never going to integrate the two tours." There won't be a real merger because players don't necessarily want to play that much or outside of the United States.
"There is not enough time for two trips like that," he stated. "They are never going to integrate the two tours." There won't be a real merger because players don't necessarily want to play that much or outside of the United States.
"What they require is a deal that would allow for crossover between the two tours, much like there used to be when the PGA Tour and European Tour had a small rivalry."
Given his experience on the course, Harrington's remarks are likely to resonate with many players. Consequently, it will be interesting to see if those leading the negotiations take his advice to heart or if the parties involved in the merger are determined to disprove the doubters by making the arrangement work, assuming they can come to a consensus.
Given his experience on the course, Harrington's remarks are likely to resonate with many players. Consequently, it will be interesting to see if those leading the negotiations take his advice to heart or if the parties involved in the merger are determined to disprove the doubters by making the arrangement work, assuming they can come to a consensus.