Ex-PGA Tour chief who quit role over LIV Golf merger frustration lands new job

Former PGA Tour Policy Board member Jimmy Dunne has made his return to , over the lack of progress being made in a deal with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).

Dunne - who played an instrumental role in putting the together - has joined Troon Golf as part of their Board of Directors. Troon are a major player in the golfing , and currently manage nearly 1,000 clubs across the globe.

The former chief's appointment was confirmed in a press release on Thursday, with Troon President and CEO Tim Schantz commenting: "We are thrilled to welcome Jimmy Dunne to Troon’s board.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

"His leadership, experience, business acumen and passion for golf will help the company continue to touch new areas in and around golf and golf-related hospitality. Jimmy’s commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with Troon’s vision, and we’re confident he’ll have a strong impact on the company.”

Dunne himself expressed his excitement on taking on the new role. “I’m excited to join the Board of Troon and work closely with Tim and the rest of his terrific team," he said in a statement of his own. "I have always enjoyed playing the Troon golf courses and the more I’ve learned about the entire company, the more impressed I have become by all its offerings.

"I’m looking forward to helping Troon any way I possibly can." Dunne brings a plethora of experience to his new role having been previously central to the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF, which is set to change the face of the sport, brining together the American-based circuit and

For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to .

Having helped orchestrate an agreement in 2023, Dunne then opted to step away from his role in May of this year, having clearly been left frustrated with how things were moving between the two sides. He wrote in a resignation letter "When I arrived on the board in January 2023, everybody involved with the game was concerned about the fundamental threat of LIV Golf.

"As directed by Commissioner Monahan, I engaged LIV’s majority owner, the Public Investment Fund, to see if we could end the lawsuits and reunify the game." Dunne appeared in front of the US Senate's Department of Justice last summer to outline the PGA Tour's plans with PIF.

He added in his final statement: "During my testimony at the Senate hearing, I said it was my intention to cast my vote alongside the Player Directors if a final agreement was reached with the PIF.

"Since the players now outnumber the Independent Directors on the Board, and no meaningful progress has been made towards a transaction with the PIF, I feel like my vote and my role is utterly superfluousI believe that history will look favorably on this outcome and the very real opportunities now afforded the Tour.”