Asked about the obstacles preventing an agreement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the group that runs the LIV Golf Tour, Rory McIlroy was frank on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media ahead of the BMW PGA Championship in Surrey, England, McIlroy said half the players on tour “probably don’t” want a deal to go through.
“I would say probably half the LIV players want the deal to happen, and the other half probably don’t,” McIlroy said, first admitting that the U.S. Justice Department would likely have influence over a possible deal.
“I would say it’s probably similar on the PGA Tour. It’s like anything, everybody’s looking out for themselves and their interests, some people would benefit from a deal not being done. But obviously a deal would benefit some people. I think there are different opinions among the players about a deal. And I think when you have a membership-driven organization, it complicates things a little bit – especially when some of those players have to make decisions at the level of business. »
McIlroy still believes the two organizations will try to find common ground.
“I think the tours want to get it done,” McIlroy said. “The investors certainly want it done because they can see the benefits to them. But right now it’s the Justice Department and the players’ different opinions.”
The two sides, which announced a union agreement in the summer of 2023, held talks in New York last week to fill the remaining gaps.
