Rory McIlroy Says PGA-LIV Golf Deal Is "Not Any Closer"
The ongoing talks about a possible deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf seem to be at a standstill—at least according to Rory McIlroy. Despite all the discussions, including recent meetings involving President Donald Trump, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, and LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, McIlroy doesn't believe the two sides are any closer to reaching an agreement.
Also Read:Speaking ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, McIlroy made it clear that while unifying the sport would be a good thing, he doesn’t think the PGA Tour actually needs a deal with LIV Golf. He acknowledged that the golf world would welcome a resolution, particularly in bringing the best players back together, but he doesn’t see the PGA Tour as being in a position of desperation.
"I don't think it's ever felt that close, but it doesn't feel like it's any closer," McIlroy said. He pointed out that the PGA Tour has been doing well on its own, with strong TV ratings and the successful introduction of the TGL, a new league he co-founded with Tiger Woods. According to McIlroy, the momentum of the PGA Tour remains solid, and while a deal would be beneficial, it's not essential.
When asked why he felt the negotiations weren’t progressing, McIlroy responded, "It takes two to tango." He suggested that while one side may be ready to move forward, the other may not be on the same page, making it difficult to finalize any agreement. The landscape of professional golf has changed over the past few weeks, and McIlroy believes the PGA Tour is in a position where it can afford to wait rather than rush into a deal.
McIlroy also discussed his upcoming schedule leading into the Masters, the only major championship he has yet to win. Currently, he’s set to play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship but has a three-week gap before Augusta. He admitted he’s considering adding an extra event to stay sharp before the Masters but hasn't decided which one. "I don't like the idea of having three weeks off," he said, mentioning that he might play either in Houston or San Antonio.
As for the much-debated PGA-LIV situation, McIlroy remains open to a deal but isn't holding his breath. He knows the ideal scenario would be for the best players in the world to compete together more often, but at the end of the day, he believes the PGA Tour is doing just fine. For now, it seems like the divide in professional golf is still far from being resolved.
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