'Golf merger brings peace, but turmoil lies ahead'

When the email dropped it was like reading an April Fools' Day spoof, so far-fetched was the notion of the established golf tours harmoniously joining forces with the breakaway LIV circuit.

After unprecedented rancour, mudslinging, litigation and burned friendships, the PGA and DP World Tours accepted they were better together with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).

It is an extraordinary about turn but there are billions of reasons why. Many observers will conclude the Kingdom has now bought men's professional golf.

Critics of its human rights record regard the deal as another tawdry extension of sportswashing.

This is a commercial deal bringing the tours under the same umbrella as LIV, which shook up the men's game like never before when it came into being a year ago. They will be unified in seeking profits.

The tours themselves will continue with their 2023 schedules, but the new commercial reality means future calendars will be heavily altered. While there is now peace between rival factions, there will still be plenty of turmoil ahead.