Rory McIlroy Backs Trump's Role in PGA Tour-PIF Deal Negotiations
Rory McIlroy has expressed optimism about Donald Trump's potential role in facilitating negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) to reunify men's professional golf.
McIlroy revealed during his Genesis Invitational press conference that Trump, despite hosting LIV events, favors the PGA Tour's format. More importantly, Trump's direct access to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman could prove invaluable in negotiations.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Adam Scott recently met with Trump in Washington, D.C., followed by Tiger Woods playing golf with the president. Monahan described the meeting as "productive," citing Trump's passion for golf and understanding of both the PGA Tour and PIF.
Trump's unique position as someone who has hosted both PGA Tour and LIV events, combined with his existing business relationships in Saudi Arabia, makes him a potentially influential figure in the ongoing negotiations.
"Everyone's just got to get over it," McIlroy stated, emphasizing the need to move forward rather than dwell on past conflicts. He stressed that reunification would be "the best thing for everyone."
Monahan indicated progress in the PGA Tour-PIF negotiations but remained cautious about setting a timeline. He emphasized that the ultimate goal is to benefit both the fans and the game of golf through reunification.
"We've operated in a world where there's more than one [tour] and the PGA Tour has performed very well. But in the long run, is that the best thing for fans? Is that the best thing for the game? We're trying to solve it so everybody benefits," Monahan explained.
The involvement of Trump represents a strategic move by the PGA Tour to expedite the negotiation process and potentially overcome regulatory hurdles that had previously slowed progress under the previous administration.