Rory McIlroy will be directly involved in the PGA Tour’s talks with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund after all – joining a subcommittee alongside Tiger Woods.
Rory McIlroy has officially announced his membership in a PGA Tour subcommittee, alongside Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, which is actively engaged in discussions with the supporters of LIV Golf.
It has been almost a year since the PGA Tour and DP World Tour revealed their ongoing discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) regarding a potential merger. This proposed agreement holds the promise of bringing golf back together, as the sport has been divided since the launch of LIV two years ago, which led to some of the top players leaving the PGA Tour.
However, it is important to note that all parties involved have not yet reached a final agreement. Despite leaving the PGA Tour’s policy board in November, McIlroy was not expected to participate in these talks.
According to McIlroy, the possibility of the four-time major winner returning to the policy board, alongside Woods, Cantlay, and Spieth, turned out to be “complicated” and “messy.”
Golf Digest further stated that McIlroy and Woods’ relationship has deteriorated in recent months due to their differing opinions on the future of golf. It is alleged that Woods was one of the individuals who opposed McIlroy’s reentry into the PGA Tour’s policy board.
McIlroy may not have a vote, but he will still have a significant impact on the PGA Tour’s discussions with the PIF. During the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy mentioned, “While I may not be a board member, I do have a role to play in the transaction committee.
“I may not have a say in the final decisions, but I believe I can contribute in a positive way to the committee. It’s a compromise for not having a board seat, but I’m glad to be involved.”
McIlroy, who carded a four-under-par in his initial round at Quail Hollow, mentioned prior to the current tournament that there was a “subset of individuals on the (policy) board who might have been uneasy with my return for some reason.”
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan expressed that McIlroy would wield a “significant impact” on the organization’s future even before the Wells Fargo Championship commenced. Monahan was questioned regarding McIlroy’s rejection to re-enter the board.
Monahan clarified that today’s news does not reflect Rory’s significant impact, but rather follows our governance process for tour players to join the board.
Webb Simpson, who was expected to take over from McIlroy, will continue serving on the policy board and PGA Tour Enterprises board until the end of his term. This ensures the much-needed continuity during this crucial period.
We are currently in the process of advancing our negotiations with the PIF and are collaborating as a unified group – the player directors, our boards, and tour management – to maintain a receptive attitude towards all possibilities that enhance the tour for the betterment of our players, partners, and, above all, our fans.
It is anticipated that McIlroy, Woods, and Scott will be accompanied on the subcommittee by Monahan, fellow golfer Joe Ogilvie, John Henry from Strategic Sports Group (SSG), and PGA Tour Enterprises chair Joe Gorder.
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