Rory McIlroy quit the PGA Tour’s policy board last year, but has returned to the fold, with a merger deal still being negotiated. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF)
Rory McIlroy hopes to return to the PGA Tour policy board this week to push through a unification agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
“I think I can help,” answered the Ulsterman. McIlroy was the most vocal critic of LIV Golf until last June’s surprise “framework agreement” between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which funds Greg Norman’s breakaway league.
The world number two resigned from the board in November after saying he felt like a “sacrificial lamb,” and he now supports a peace accord that would see the PIF invest in the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods claimed “good” conversations with Newcastle chairman and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Bahamas last month, but a deal is still pending.
McIlroy is now ready to replace Webb Simpson on the policy board (he still needs unanimous agreement to return) and participate in discussions. “I don’t believe there has been much progress in the last eight months, and I was hoping there would be,” he added. “I think I could contribute to the process.
“I feel like I care a lot, and I have some fairly decent experience and relationships within the game, as well as the larger ecology and everything that’s going on. I am willing to do it if that is what the people demand.”
Viewing figures on the PGA Tour are down 20% this season, with numerous stars, including world No.3 Jon Rahm, signing for LIV. McIlroy has stated that Al-Rumayyan wanted to do the “right thing” with PIF’s investment in golf.
When asked if he plans to seek unification, the four-time Major winner replied, “Absolutely, sure.” I believe that is the only way ahead for the game of golf.
“I want compromise, but also try to express your arguments as clearly as possible and help people realize the benefits of what unity may do for the game, and specifically for this tour. “We all need to move forward together.”
Speaking before LIV Adelaide, Greg Norman said he had never made an offer to McIlroy, but added: “If Rory was prepared to sit down and talk with us, would we be delighted to do so? 100%, just like any other player that wants to come on and play with us.”
McIlroy renewed his commitment to the PGA Tour last week, and he is likely to get shares in the new for-profit corporation established with an initial $1.5 billion investment from the Strategic Sports Group, a partnership that includes Liverpool owners Fenway Sports.
The Ulsterman will receive shares worth up to $50 million (£40 million), while Woods will receive shares worth up to $100 million ($80 million). The players will receive approximately $1 billion (£800 million), with the great majority going to the top 36 who are most likely to defect to LIV. If a peace agreement is reached, the share price will skyrocket.
Before his maiden appearance at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he will join Shane Lowry, McIlroy was asked if the equity payments were sufficient. “I believe the one thing we’ve learned in golf over the last two years is that there is never enough,” he added.
