McIlroy Predicts Continued Growth for LIV Golf Despite Merger Talks
Rory McIlroy believes that LIV Golf will keep growing stronger despite ongoing merger discussions with the PGA Tour. He envisions a future where top players from both circuits participate in each other’s events.
The first official meeting between the rival tours is set to take place in New York on Friday. McIlroy plans to join via video call after completing his second round at the Memorial Tournament.
Key attendees include Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and John Henry, owner of Liverpool FC. Henry’s consortium has invested over £1 billion in the Tour’s new for-profit entity.
A year after the shocking “framework agreement” between the Tour and PIF, the parties will finally meet face-to-face. The DP World Tour will rely on Monahan to represent its interests. Despite rumors of “player power” on the Tour policy board, McIlroy, Woods, and Scott will primarily listen in, as McIlroy notes, “this is big boys’ stuff.”
“There are people on the PGA Tour side who will lead the negotiations,” McIlroy said. “It won’t be Adam, Tiger, or me. That’s up to Jay, Joe Gorder [chairman of PGA Tour enterprises], Joe Ogilvie [former Tour pro and player liaison], and John Henry. This is a business negotiation, and I’ll be doing more listening than talking.”
While the elected players on the policy board hold the majority vote and will ultimately decide on any deal, McIlroy believes that the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will need to coexist for a peaceful resolution.
“I don’t see LIV slowing down in the next few years,” McIlroy said. “They’re expanding, with office space in New York and over 200 employees. Many of their players are contracted until 2028 or 2029.”
McIlroy hopes for greater collaboration and understanding between the tours, allowing players to participate in both. “Looking ahead, LIV will continue on its path, but hopefully, there will be more collaboration. We might see cross-pollination where players can compete on both tours.”
The importance of this summit prompted McIlroy to consider flying to New York after his second round at Muirfield Village. However, after an opening round of 70, he will join the meeting remotely. The situation remains complex, with the US Department of Justice needing to approve any agreement. McIlroy mentioned the possibility of PIF having a “passive investment” and expressed hope for a resolution.
“My stance on LIV has softened,” McIlroy said. “LIV players are contracted for 14 events, but they are free the rest of the year. The challenge is fitting all the tournaments into the calendar, deciding when and where to play, and which players will participate.”
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future relationship between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, with all parties seeking a solution that benefits the sport.
