Outgoing DP World Tour boss Keith Pelley says 'global' focus holds key to unity in golf

It was announced last week that Pelley is quitting his role after eight and a half years to return to his native Canada as president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, the NBA's Toronto Raptors and MLS side Toronto FC.

The 60-year-old's shock move came as the DP World Tour and PGA Tour remain in negotiations with the PGA Tour to formalise June's Framework Agreement with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which bankrolls LIV Golf.

But Pelley believes a "direction of travel" will be in place before he hands over to deputy Guy Kinnings on April 2, just days before the Masters gets under way at Augusta National.

"I think the growth of the game is global," Pelley told a small group of reporters ahead of this week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

"I think that's where the focus needs to be. I think with the emergence of FSG [Fenway Sports Group, which has been involved in talks with the PGA Tour], they understand the importance of global.

"PIF certainly understands the importance of being global.

"This is a global game. Every business now that is growing wants to be global. I think the PGA Tour is coming to the realisation that globality is the key for growth. They have heard me say it once or twice.

"I think some of the top players in the US are starting to realise that that's exactly what the purpose of the Framework Agreement was. It was to unify the game.

"Unfortunately, some of the top players in the US didn't support it, which we needed them to. I think they are realising now that the best way forward is to unify the game."

An initial deadline of December 31 to turn the Framework Agreement into something concrete was unsurprisingly not met, with the hope now that a deal can be agreed before the first major of the year in April.

"I think we will certainly have a direction of travel by then, yes, I do," Pelley added.

"I think the conversations have heated up since the Ryder Cup. I think there's a will from all parties."

READ MORE: DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley confirms resignation to accept top job in Canada