Since its inception, Rory McIlroy has condemned the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour. Now that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has merged with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, he is trying to see the bright side of the surprise merger.
McIlroy spoke to reporters ahead of the RBC Canadian Open on Wednesday for the first time since the merger was announced Tuesday morning. He said Jimmy Dunne, the Independent Director of the PGA Tour board of directors, went over the deal with him at 6:30 am Tuesday morning, so he was as surprised as the rest of us when the news broke.
After contemplation, McIlroy admits there are some «mixed emotions» because it’s all so new and there’s still a lot to clear up with players and fans regarding the landmark deal.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland participates in the RBC Canadian Open Pro-Am at Oakdale Golf and Country Club on June 7, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
However, he is confident that this will be good for the future of golf. And that’s because LIV Golf, in their eyes, will no longer be a thing.
«The only thing I think was really misconstrued yesterday was all the headlines saying the PGA Tour merges with LIV,» he explained, via Sky Sports News. «LIV has nothing to do with this. The PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund are basically teaming up to create a new company. I think that’s where he was a little frustrated because everything he wanted to do and all I’ve wanted in the last year basically from this tournament is to protect the future of the PGA Tour and to protect the aspirational nature of what the PGA Tour stands for.
«I hope this does that, but I think with the headlines saying ‘LIV mergers,’ that’s not it. If you look at how it’s structured, this new company is on top of everything. Jay is the CEO of that, so technically anyone involved with LIV would now answer to Jay. The PGA Tour has control over everything.»
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Many were outraged to see the PGA Tour merge with the PIF, which LIV Golf ran under its golf-related businesses, due to the civil war that ensued in recent years.
That ranged from players calling Commissioner Monahan a «hypocrite» during a players-only meeting Tuesday in Canada, to fans pointing out that Monahan invoked the 9/11 terrorist attacks by condemning LIV Golf in the past.
But, as the saying goes, «Money talks.» McIlroy and the rest of the PGA Tour understand that to be the case here, but the No. 3 golfer in the World Golf Rankings is optimistic that the PGA Tour will control the money being pumped into this new entity.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland participates in the RBC Canadian Open Pro-Am at Oakdale Golf and Country Club on June 7, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
«Like it or not, the PIF was going to continue spending money on golf,» McIlroy said. «At least the PGA Tour now controls how that money is spent. If you’re looking at one of the biggest SWFs in the world, would you rather have them as a partner or an enemy? At the end of the day, money talks, and would you rather have them as a partners».
The PIF will be the main financial backer of this new entity, according to Tuesday’s merger statement, while all litigation will end between the respective tours.
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So many questions need to be answered for the future of golf, especially considering that players were unaware of the merger.
But no matter the case, McIlroy has his sights set on the future. And while it’s hard to take his personal thought process out of the equation right now, he’s trying to do it with an optimistic outlook moving forward.
«I think ultimately when I try to step back from the situation and look at the big picture and look 10 years down the line, I think ultimately this is going to be good for professional golf. I think it unifies and secures their financial future.» , said.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media after playing in the RBC Canadian Open Pro-Am at Oakdale Golf and Country Club on June 7, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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McIlroy will be on the field at the RBC Canadian Open, which begins the first round on Thursday, before heading to Los Angeles next week for the 2023 US Open, the third major of the year.