Rory McIlroy suggests ‘some people’ are holding up pending LIV Golf, Saudi deal
Rory McIlroy provided a little insight into the pending agreement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
ATLANTA — The one big thing the golfing world wanted to learn from PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan on Wednesday was where the tour stood regarding its pending agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), LIV Golf’s beneficiary.
But Monahan provided no update, instead dodging multiple questions about the topic like a seasoned politician. It was an impressive display, really, but further proof that this deal will likely get executed anytime soon.
Hence, Rory McIlroy, who has called for unification and dreams of a world tour, called out the tour and its constituents for not making more progress this year.
“I thought there would have been more progress made, which is unfortunate,” McIlroy told Golf.com’s Dylan Dethier.
“I think at this point, everyone’s just getting bored of it, just getting tired of it. It’s just become a bit of a cloud over golf. But a very niche cloud, you know? I wish more would have been done, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of willingness from some people to try to fix it.”
Monahan and Yasir al-Rumayan, the Governor of the PIF, set a deadline of Dec. 31, 2023, to try to reach a deal. That deadline has obviously come and gone.
“We have not agreed to a deadline,” Monahan revealed Wednesday.
“I don’t think we want to restrict ourselves in that way. We want to achieve the best and right outcome at the right time.”
But the PGA Tour Commissioner noted that the two sides continue to “make progress” towards a deal.
“We have the right people at the table with the right mindset. I see that in all of these conversations, and that’s both sides. That creates optimism about the future and our ability to come together. But at the same time, these conversations are complex. They’re going to take time. They have taken time, and they will continue to take time,” Monahan added Wednesday.
“But I’m not going to negotiate details in public or disclose details or specifics. All I can say is that conversations continue, and they’re productive.”
Yet the golfing world continues to grow impatient as it remains splintered between two tours. The sport would be better off if it came together, as it now does at the four majors each year. Thus, McIlroy alluded to his close U.S. Open call at Pinehurst No. 2 with Dethier.
“Yeah. I mean, I was on the wrong end of it, but look at the numbers that Bryson [DeChambeau] and I did at Pinehurst,” McIlroy said, referring to the strong television ratings NBC Sports received.
[LIV Golf] has a lot of the personalities, you know? The PGA Tour, we’re here trying to create the best product. You need villains.”
After his opening round at the Tour Championship, McIlroy expanded upon his thoughts about his pending deal. The sentiment remains the same.
“I think anyone who cares about golf must be frustrated,” McIlroy said.
“I think anyone who cares about the PGA Tour has to be frustrated because we’re—we, the royal we, we’re not putting forward the absolute best product. I get the argument that these guys left, and that was their choice and whatever—I think it’s gone on long enough. I think everyone is trying to find a solution. It’s just a solution that is hard to get to.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.