Rory McIlroy Sheds Massive Details on PGA TOUR – PIF Merger Talks

Rory McIlroy shed some light on the PGA TOUR’s recent talks with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as the two sides try to come to a deal to help end division in men’s professional golf.

McIlroy has been involved in the talks, along with players like Tiger Woods, who have helped try and negotiate alongside PGA TOUR brass, including commissioner Jay Monahan.

The two sides will meet in New York City today, and McIlroy talked about some major details in the talks, including a personal bit of info regarding his plans for the merger.

Three Times a Week

According to McIlroy, the two sides have been meeting three times a week for the past few weeks, but this is among the first in-person meetings during that time span.

It is evident both the PGA TOUR and the PIF are looking to have some sort of dialogue to keep talks moving in the right direction. However, not much has changed in the year since the framework agreement was announced, making things questionable at best for the two parties.

McIlroy’s Involvement

McIlroy said he considered flying to New York City today for the meeting, but his presence at The Memorial is likely the reason he chose not to go.

He will instead join through a video call, and Woods will be in New York in person to help move things along. 

“This is big boy stuff,” McIlroy said when talking about the merger talks. We don’t really know how to take that other than the fact that it could be a sign that things are moving forward.

LIV Not Slowing Down

McIlroy also had some interesting statements regarding LIV Golf. His tone has changed dramatically through the last year, going from, “I hate LIV,” to recognizing that some of its players are crucial to the game and its success.

In a Sports Illustrated report about McIlroy’s opinions on the current merger talks, he said:

“I certainly don’t see in the next couple of years LIV slowing down. They’re buying office space in New York. They have over 200 employees. I don’t see a world where—and I haven’t heard any of those guys say that they don’t want to play over there either, right? You’ve got guys who are on contracts until 2028, 2029.”

What does that mean for the PGA TOUR? Well, it depends on where the merger talks go and how the two tours can co-exist, with the potential for a “cross-pollenation” where players would have the option of playing tournaments on either tour:

“Looking a few years down the line, LIV is going to continue to sort of keep going down its path. But hopefully with maybe more of a collaboration or an understanding between the tours. Maybe there is some cross-pollenation there where players can start to play on both. I guess that will all be talked about in the coming weeks.”

As for what he truly feels about LIV, McIlroy admits he does not have the harsh feelings he once had:

“My stance on some of the LIV stuff has softened. They’re contracted to play 14 events, but the other 38 weeks of the year you’re free to do what you want.”

Cover Image via New York Post