Rory McIlroy believes unity is the “only way forward for golf” as he explained the reasons and motivation behind his willingness to make a surprise return to the PGA Tour board.
As reported Tuesday, McIlroy will return to the PGA Tour board of directors this week, subject to a vote on his reappointment, just five months after his resignation.
Negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) over the shock framework agreement announced last June are understood to have stalled, with talks to unify the game still ongoing .
McIlroy would replace Webb Simpson, who has reportedly offered his resignation and requested that the former world No. 1 take his place.
McIlroy’s involvement is expected to help reassure sponsors and help Yasir Al-Rumayyan – chairman of the PIF – speed up an agreement between the two parties, which are still far apart in their visions for the sport.
In a message to Sky sports news On Monday night, McIlroy said: “I would rather the men’s professional golf landscape survives this, so I’m happy to do my part.”
On Wednesday, McIlroy faced the media for the first time since news of his unexpected return broke, ahead of his debut appearance at the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event, which will be broadcast live Sky Sports Golf from 1 p.m. on Thursday.
McIlroy said that while he was “not yet” in a position to confirm his return to the political committee, he had agreed to speak “hypothetically” about such a prospect – and detailed the reasons for his expected move return.
“I think I can be helpful,” he said.
“I don’t think there has been much progress in the last eight months and I was hoping there would be. I think I could be helpful in this process.”
“But only if people want me included, I guess. When Webb and I were talking and he was talking about possibly resigning from the board, I said, “Look, if it was something other people wanted, I’d be happy to take that spot,” was the conversation we had .
“But yeah, I think that’s the whole reason. I feel like I can be helpful to whatever is going on.
“But at the end of the day it’s not entirely up to me to just go back on the board. There is a process that must be followed.”
“But I’m willing to do it if that’s what people want, I guess.”
McIlroy: Everyone needs to put aside the lingering “hard feelings.”
McIlroy joined the Player Advisory Council in 2019 and then served on the PGA Tour’s Policy Board from 2021 until last November, when he resigned after raising concerns about the time and energy he had to devote to that role.
The four-time major winner has since made something of an about-face on LIV and the players who have defected from the established Tours over the last two years, admitting ahead of the new season that he had been “too biased”. .
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
A look back at how Rory McIlroy’s attitude towards LIV Golf seems to have changed over the last two years
He has also stressed his belief that a successful conclusion to the ongoing discussions on the framework agreement is vital to the future health of golf.
Asked Wednesday whether he would take a stronger stance on unification in a second term on the PGA Tour’s policy board, McIlroy replied: “Absolutely, yes. I think this is the only way forward for golf.”
In addition to Simpson, the other current PGA Tour player directors on the policy board are Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods.
McIlroy had previously said that he and Cantlay “see the world very differently” and also exchanged ideas with Spieth.
Asked how he would deal with the board members’ differing views upon his return, McIlroy said: “Compromise, but also try to articulate your points of view as best as possible and show people the benefits of unification could have for the sport and what it means.” I could do specifically for this tour.
“We obviously realize the game isn’t unified at the moment for a reason and there are still some negative feelings and things that need to be addressed, but I think for the good of the game we need to address those feelings at this point put everyone aside.” and everyone move forward together.”
Rory responds to reports of loyalty participation payments from the PGA Tour
McIlroy was also asked Wednesday about reports that he and Tiger Woods are among the golfers expected to receive shares in PGA Tour Enterprises as a thank you for sticking with the tour.
The telegraph explained that Woods would receive a $100 million share and McIlroy would receive a $50 million share in the newly formed company because they did not accept lucrative offers from LIV.
Several hundred players will also receive shares in PGA Tour Enterprises, which raised a $3 billion investment earlier this year from Strategic Sports Group, a consortium of sports team owners.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy has dismissed a report about his impending move to LIV Golf and confirmed he will remain on the PGA Tour going forward
Asked what would be considered “enough” to make players feel like they haven’t moved to LIV, McIlroy said: “I think the one thing we’ve learned in golf over the last two years is is that there is never enough.”
McIlroy has recently dismissed suggestions that he himself was considering a move to LIV Golf, with the league’s chief executive Greg Norman also denying on Tuesday that they had made an offer to the world No.2.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy shows off his incredible golf knowledge by attempting to name every Masters winner in his lifetime
Should McIlroy focus on his own game?
Jamie Spence speaks on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast:
“I don’t think he needs to go to the policy committee to have his views heard, I’m sure.” [PGA Tour commissioner] Jay Monahan and all the other senior players ask for his opinion anyway.
“I think Rory needs to move on from that and concentrate on his game. He’s done enough of that. You will consult him anyway and he always gives his opinion. He’s very open.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Nick Dougherty is in the Audi Performance Zone to find out how Rory McIlroy improved his swing
Alex Perry, co-editor of bunkered, speaks on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast:
“Rory obviously has a very good relationship with Yasir [Al-Rumayyan], so maybe that’s to the PGA Tour’s advantage. He also has a very good relationship with Tiger Woods. But I would rather see him concentrate on his own game.
“I know it won’t get to the point where he was the mouthpiece of the PGA Tour, the player everyone wanted to talk to while Monahan sat in the background, but at the time LIV came along he was clearly in a bad way .”
“It really affected him on and off the track. That’s my biggest concern. Can he control these emotions? He can’t resist telling it like it is, he has no filter.”
Watch McIlroy in action at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans live on Sky Sports all week. Live coverage with the featured groups begins on Sky Sports Golf from 1pm on Thursday, before full coverage begins from 8.30pm.
Ad Content | Stream Sky Sports NOW
Stream Sky Sports live NOW without a contract with a monthly or daily membership. Instant access to live action from the Premier League and EFL, as well as darts, cricket, tennis, golf and much more.
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 golf courses across the UK and Ireland