Why the PGA-LIV tour golf merger is a big win for both sides

• The long-standing beef between the PGA and LIV golf tours is over.
• It seems like a mutually beneficial deal.

And just like that, the conflict that raged between the arch-rival PGA and LIV golf tours for the past year is over.

The two entities agreed to merge and will form a new, combined entity backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. It's an outcome that was unthinkable as recently as a couple months ago, when reps from both sides fought a vicious war of words.

There were feuds about the exorbitant amount of money being thrown at LIV recruits, which included nine-figure deals for PGA superstars and major-championship winners like Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka. On the other side there were PGA company men like Rory McIlroy, who spent time at press conferences extolling the virtues of loyalty, having turned down mega-millions themselves. The entire situation created a massive fault line that divided the sport's top players.

Defectors that took the LIV money were suspended from the PGA, and their status for major tournaments and international competitions was thrown into question. Top pros have been able to play due to exemptions, but the future was murky until this deal was struck.

But that's all put to rest now, and the resulting outcome seems like a win for everyone involved. Well, except for one person. (See below for details.)

Why it's good for the PGA Tour

The creation of LIV and the subsequent departures of high-profile players was a major black eye for the PGA Tour. Its unquestioned dominance of the sport suddenly looked vulnerable as the Saudi PIF offered money and flexibility they couldn't — and didn't want to — match.

At first the PGA treated the LIV Tour like a minor inconvenience. But then it started making small changes that suggested nervousness. In March, when the tour moved to eliminate cuts and shrink field sizes for some tournaments in the future, many pundits were quick to declare it a victory for LIV. The PGA was adjusting to it, not the other way around.

The merger will allow the PGA to more easily adopt the more progressive elements of the game like this that LIV has introduced.

The other major plus for the PGA is the financial backing from the Saudis. A bigger pot of investment money likely means bigger player payouts, more elaborate events, and more widespread media coverage.

Why it's good for the LIV Tour

This one is even easier. Simply put, no one was watching LIV. It aired on the CW, and the consensus was that — even if Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka were playing — it wasn't worth tuning in for anyone but diehards. Now that it's combined with the PGA, the viewership will multiply. Not to mention the kind of new TV contract the combined entity will be able to negotiate.

Another big reason why LIV has to be thrilled about the deal is that it'll keep its top players happy. Koepka in particular was starting to grumble about the limitations placed on LIV pros, in terms of eligibility for major championships. Yes, the money is good for these guys, but they're also extremely competitive, and want to play in the best tournaments.

Details are still being worked out around how LIV players will re-assimilate back into the PGA fold, but this must be considered a big victory for tour morale.

Big winner: Brooks Koepka

Once again we come to a key figure in this saga. Before LIV even began, he was a polarizing figure, best known for his aloof, bro-y energy. He feuded with fellow golfer — and, funnily enough, future LIV comrade — Bryson DeChambeau. He rolled his eyes during interviews. He criticized people that played too slow. He made it clear to anyone that would listen that it wasn't actually that hard for him to be this good at golf.

He also won four major championships in two years.

Then the injuries struck, sending Koepka plummeting down the rankings. His confidence started to suffer. Once LIV came knocking, he was having doubts about whether he'd be able to return to the top level. He ended up taking the money and joining LIV because he was that unsure about his future, he admitted on the Netflix documentary series "Full Swing."

But then he healed and ended up winning the PGA Championship in May, his fifth major. Suddenly the debate around whether LIV players should be kept out flared again. Why would the PGA want to deprive itself of such a performance in the future?

Koepka got that conversation going, and that alone makes him a big winner here. Not to mention he got his nine-figure payday, and will likely be able to play in major tournaments without issue thanks to the merger.

Big loser: Rory McIlroy

While it's hard to call someone with a $170 million net worth — and who flies in private jets to tournaments — a loser, McIlroy certainly has some egg on his face here.

For months he was the PGA Tour's unofficial attack dog, espousing the importance of golf's traditions, and the PGA's role in them. It was all good until his play slipped. He ended up missing the cut at the Masters in April after more PGA cheerleading. The burden of allegiance seemed to be taking its toll.

And then the PGA Tour went and did this, making a deal with the entity McIlroy was fighting against. For all the energy he sunk into defending their honor, they appeared to have no problem striking a mutually beneficial deal with the Saudis.

It also raises the question of how much money staying with the PGA cost players previously recruited by LIV. Is it going to turn out that Johnson, Koepka, Phil Mickelson, and others cashed in their mega-millions and will be able to participate in PGA events like normal going forward? If that's the case, the PGA's most staunch adherents are probably asking a lot of questions today.