The four-time Major winner has admitted a “subset of people” were “uncomfortable” with the idea of him returning.
Merely a fortnight following speculation of Rory McIlroy making a surprising comeback to the PGA Tour Policy Board, he has officially stated that it is not going to occur in the near future.
Webb Simpson resigned from the board last month, as reported by The Guardian, and suggested that McIlroy replace him. Shortly after, McIlroy expressed his willingness to consider the opportunity, stating, “I believe I can make a valuable contribution.”
McIlroy is currently gearing up for his upcoming appearance at the Wells Fargo Championship, his first tournament since winning at TPC Louisiana, where he provided an update on his potential comeback.
He mentioned that there have been numerous discussions, which reminded him why he didn’t engage in them before. It became quite complicated and messy, reopening old wounds and scars from past experiences.
Despite resigning from the Policy Board, McIlroy has been outspoken about the current state of the game. Specifically, he has expressed his thoughts on the PGA Tour’s prolonged negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) regarding LIV Golf. Regarding LIV golfers who may want to come back to the PGA Tour, he simply said, “Let them come back.”
Not everyone held the same sentiment, including Jordan Spieth, the player who took McIlroy’s place on the board. The 35-year-old hinted that not everyone was open to embracing his return.
He proceeded to say: “Yes, I believe there was a group of individuals on the board who may have felt uneasy about my return for some unknown reason.”
Yeah, I believe the most suitable plan would be if, you know, there are some individuals who aren’t at ease with my return, then I think Webb should continue serving his term, as he seems content with that, and I’ll just carry on with my current endeavors.
Rory McIlroy discussed the PGA Tour policy board and mentioned that there were some individuals on the board who seemed hesitant about his return for unknown reasons.
On May 8, 2024, McIlroy shifted his focus towards the imperative of reaching a favorable resolution in the negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF. He expressed, “We have a limited timeframe to accomplish this, as it aligns with the interests of both parties from a business standpoint, although not necessarily a necessity.”
“While it may not be entirely satisfactory for either side, the potential revival of the golfing community and the opportunity for us all to reunite is undeniably a positive outcome.”
Nevertheless, McIlroy acknowledged that there are still potential obstacles to overcome. He expressed, “If we were to adopt a more global schedule, would American players, who are accustomed to playing exclusively in the United States, be willing to travel abroad 12 times a year for tournament golf? It’s definitely something to think about.”
It should be noted that if we were to reunite, there are only seven players from the LIV contingent who still maintain their status or eligibility here. However, would it be acceptable to the rest of the membership if they were to return after fulfilling their contracts and having financially gained potentially hundreds of millions of dollars more than those who stayed? This is an important factor to consider.
McIlroy expressed his confidence in the possibility of a deal being reached despite the mentioned concerns. He stated, “I am still hopeful. I believe that Webb’s decision to stay is positive. His perspective is well-rounded and he understands the broader implications, which is beneficial.”
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