FLORIDA (AFP) — Patrick Cantlay, who helped approve a new PGA Tour investment deal worth up to $3 billion, said Thursday the group of US sports team owners involved will help decide any merger deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

Cantlay was among the PGA Tour Policy Board players who unanimously approved the Strategic Sports Group funding and creation of the new for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises announced on Wednesday.

Cantlay said ongoing PGA Tour merger talks with PIF — backers of the LIV Golf League — have a new factor to consider as they seek a final deal in the wake of the framework agreement reached in June.

"The PGA Tour is definitely stronger after having this deal go through," Cantlay, second after the first round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, said.

"As far as PIF, I haven't been having any real conversations myself about that, so that's a question for down the road for the board and also for the Newco (PGA Tour Enterprises) board to decide."

The new for-profit group consists of several US sports team owners and their inclusion could delay any bid to reunite golf's top players under one tour.