Adam Scott remains hopeful that negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund result in a reunification of professional golf, but the former major champion is also realistic that the talks could fizzle out.
As a player director on the tour's Player Advisory Council, the 44-year-old Australian has been involved in high-level meetings that included a trip to the White House. The involvement of President Donald Trump has heightened anticipation that a deal is closer than ever, but Scott also recognises that significant hurdles remain.
Chief among them is the future of the PIF-funded LIV Golf, and whether the concept of team golf aligns with the long-term goals of the PGA Tour.
"I think it is part of the stumbling block," Scott acknowledged on Tuesday ahead of The Players Championship. "The tour's being very careful and respectful of everyone and wanting to give everyone, the golf fans and the media and the players, the product that they want.
"But we're starting from two different sides of this, so I think it's hard to find the balance that's acceptable for everybody. And it also may not be ultimately possible."
Other major items the two entities are working through is how best to involve LIV players back into the PGA Tour that they left behind for massively lucrative deals with the Saudi-backed league.
Scott said at The Genesis Invitational last month that he wouldn't hold it against any players who had "negative emotions attached" to LIV players returning to tour events. He does believe that a "reunification" is what all parties are still striving for.
Justin Thomas is among players this week who have expressed frustration and even exhaustion around the merger conversation that has been going on since a framework deal was announced in June 2023.
"I think there's an urgency for a result, no matter what," Scott said. "I think that would be in everyone's best interest, to be honest, whether you're the PIF or a player anywhere or the PGA Tour. I think it just doesn't need to linger.
"I think there are positive things happening in the game and at the PGA Tour and that can continue to happen. I just think we hopefully will get to an outcome soon. That would be what I would like. I guess that signals urgency."
Scott said this has been his first involvement in business negotiations or deals in his life. Now that he has met with a President in a formal setting, however, he laughed at the notion of a future in politics.
"I think definitely not," he said. "It was an incredible experience to be at the White House and be in The Oval Office and see the goings-on of what's happening in Washington D.C., but it's not something that I really feel like I need to or want to spend more time on.
"I want to play better golf, to be perfectly honest with you. That would be nice. I probably should spend that time practicing."