Internal politics are at play in the PGA Tour with Rory McIlroy upsetting co-stars after the four-time major winner got frustrated over unchanged opinions over LIV Golf.
Several PGA Tour players are in disagreement with top golfer Rory McIlroy following his public expression of frustration over the fact that some have not shown the same level of flexibility towards LIV Golf as he has.
Golf Digest reports that PGA Tour stars are embracing McIlroy’s shift in opinion on LIV Golf, despite initially being one of the Saudi Tour’s most vocal opponents.
McIlroy has recently softened his stance, acknowledging that LIV has highlighted weaknesses within the PGA Tour and expressing regret for being overly critical of players who have chosen to participate. However, his change in attitude has caused tension among some of his fellow PGA Tour members who have not embraced the same perspective.
Additionally, there is a faction within the PGA community, including Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods, who oppose McIlroy’s potential reinstatement to the PGA Tour Policy Board following his previous resignation.
Cantlay and McIlroy are known to have a strained relationship, while the 35-year-old’s bond with golf icon Woods has reportedly deteriorated in recent months. McIlroy also distanced himself from Spieth by exiting a player text group after the American’s remarks at Pebble Beach, indicating he disagrees with a potential PGA Tour merger with PIF.
McIlroy questioned, “If I was the first investor who believed in closing this deal in July, and now a board member is saying we don’t need them anymore, how would they react to that?”
They continue to remain outside with an enormous sum of money, possibly in the range of hundreds of billions or even trillions, which they intend to invest in sports. I understand Jordan’s perspective on this matter. However, if I were PIF and I heard such remarks right after finalizing the SSG deal, it would not have pleased me, I suppose.
McIlroy seems to be a prominent advocate for bringing the tours together, amidst the ongoing civil war and internal politics within the Tour. The golf peace pathway, according to the four-time Major winner, could mirror the Good Friday Agreement of Northern Ireland.
McIlroy compared it to the peace process in Northern Ireland during the 1990s and the Good Friday Agreement. He mentioned that neither the Catholics nor the Protestants were satisfied with the agreement, but it ultimately brought peace. He emphasized that over time, people learned to accept and adapt to the negotiated terms. Since the agreement was reached in 1998, his generation has grown up in a time of peace and has never experienced anything different.
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