Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy play on opposing tours (Image: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy stated at the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week that the PGA Tour does not “need” an accord with LIV Golf rivals, though Brooks Koepka may disagree.
Speaking on the ongoing discussions between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) at Bay Hill on Wednesday, McIlroy’s comments came amidst a rising tide of hope for a deal prompted by the enlistment of former President last month to facilitate negotiations.
With this optimism having diminished slightly over recent days, McIlroy offered his perspective, asserting, “I think the narrative around golf, I wouldn’t say needs a deal,” the world number three mentioned. “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 stance, I don’t feel it necessarily needs it,” McIlroy elaborated.
A significant development anticipated from the proposed agreement is the PGA Tour permitting the return of members it previously banned for joining the LIV circuit. According to 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples, Brooks Koepka, one of LIV’s biggest stars, is eager to make a comeback.
Couples revealed on KJR 93.3 FM: “I talked to Brooks Koepka all the time. I love Brooks Koepka, and I’m not going to say anything extra except I talked to him all the time. He wants to come back. I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the Tour.”
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Koepka, who was among the original defectors to the Saudi switch alongside Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson nearly three years ago, would depend on a peace deal to facilitate such a return.
When asked about his vision for the future of men’s professional golf, Koepka, who has left the off-course negotiations to those in charge, admitted he was uncertain about the current developments and what lies ahead for him and his fellow players.
“Everyone asks that question man,” Koepka responded on The Joe Pomp Show when questioned about the future. “If I was in the room I would give my opinion, but I am not in the room.”
Since joining LIV in 2022, Koepka, who heads Smash GC, one of the league’s 13 franchises, has claimed six victories, five on the LIV circuit and one at the 2023 PGA Championship.