Rory McIlroy claims he’s as clueless as the rest of us about any secret handshake deal between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund, despite rumors he and Tiger Woods were the ultimate peace negotiators in a merger that’s been slower than a Sunday afternoon game.
Last week, someone whispered that McIlroy and Woods were the dynamic duo brokering peace, but then Front Office Sports came along and poured cold water on the party, saying the main issues are still stuck in negotiation limbo. ‘It’s news to me,’ McIlroy said, probably while shrugging his shoulders.
‘I mean, I know Jay Monahan was sipping coffee in Saudi Arabia last week at the FII, chatting up a storm, but I’m pretty sure I’d have gotten the memo if something big went down. He’s got a meeting with the transaction committee tonight, so maybe we’ll finally get the tea. But honestly, I’ve got nothing.’
A few challenges in negotiations mean McIlroy would be pleasantly surprised to see an agreement between the two sides. One of those has been the Department of Justice, which has slowed down talks McIlroy mentioned in September.
the Now, it would be a significant breakthrough if the DOJ was more open, he emphasizes. Meanwhile, the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States could facilitate progress. ‘Given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think that opens up possibilities a bit,’ the 35-year-old said. ‘So, we’ll see.’ On the eve of the election, Trump expressed confidence in his ability to broker a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf quickly.
And with the assistance of Elon Musk, he might succeed, suggests McIlroy. ‘He’s got Elon Musk, who I believe is incredibly intelligent, beside him,’ McIlroy added. ‘We might achieve something if we can involve Musk as well. Yeah, I think from an outsider’s perspective, it’s probably less complicated than it seems.
Obviously Trump has a strong connection with Saudi Arabia. He’s a golf enthusiast. So, maybe. Who knows? But I think as the President of the United States again, he’s likely to have more pressing priorities than golf.’