Rory McIlroy doesn’t think that the PGA Tour needs a deal. (Image: Getty Images)
has cast doubt on the necessity of a merger between the and , despite ongoing discussions. The golfing world has been abuzz with speculation since the initial agreement was drafted nearly two years ago, yet no formal approval has been announced by either party.
A significant meeting took place on Feb. 20 at the White House, involving key figures such as , , and LIV chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, which lasted four hours. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan left the meeting feeling optimistic.
However, McIlroy remains unconvinced about the progress towards any deal, even though his criticism of LIV has mellowed since negotiations started, particularly with his friend Woods at the table. Speaking before the Arnold Palmer Invitational, following Monahan’s positive update, McIlroy shared his views on the merger talks: “I don’t think it’s ever felt that close, but I don’t, it doesn’t feel like it’s any closer.
“I think the narrative around golf, I wouldn’t say needs a deal. I think the narrative around golf would welcome a deal in terms of just having all the best players together again. But I don’t think the PGA Tour needs a deal, I think the momentum is pretty strong.
“TV has been good, TGL has hopefully been pretty additive to the overall situation. I answered this question in Torrey Pines two weeks ago. The landscape may have looked a little different then than it does now over these past couple of weeks. I think a deal would still be the ideal scenario for golf as a whole. But from a pure PGA Tour perspective, I don’t feel it necessarily needs it.”
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Tiger Woods was involved in the merger talks (Image: Getty Images)
McIlroy acknowledged that there are remains some friction between PGA Tour and LIV Golf, adding: “Look, I think it takes two to tango. So if one party is willing and ready and the other isn’t, it sort of makes it tough.”
PGA Tour commissioner Monahan provided an update on the talks when speaking on Tuesday, explaining: “I think anything that the three of us [Monahan, Trump, Al-Rumayyan] have said is consistent with what should be said when you’re in the middle of a complex discussion to try and unify the game of golf.
“It doesn’t speak to my confidence level; it speaks to the goal. I view that meeting as a huge step. And so, I look at that very positively.”
“It doesn’t speak to my confidence level; it speaks to the goal. I view that meeting as a huge step. And so, I look at that very positively.”
Despite another fresh round of talks not being scheduled at the White House yet, Monahan’s praise for Trump is a key indicator that the US president could be key in unlocking those negotiations.
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