Rory McIlroy revealed he’s gearing up for a significant meeting with representatives from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) this Friday. Slated to join via video conference from Ohio, where he’s playing in the Memorial Tournament, McIlroy will participate in discussions aimed at unifying the fractured golf world through potential investment in the new PGA Tour Enterprises.
Joining McIlroy in the talks are Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, board liaison Joe Ogilvie, Enterprises Chairman Joe Gorder, and Fenway Sports Group principal John Henry. While McIlroy and the players provide a perspective from the field, the heavy lifting will be done by the business experts in the room.
McIlroy commented, ‘There’s going to be people in that room on the PGA Tour side who are going to take the lead. And it’s not going to be Adam, Tiger or I. It’s going to be the business guys. We’re there to maybe give a perspective from a player’s point of view.’ He added, ‘This is a negotiation about an investment in the PGA Tour Enterprises, this is big-boy stuff. And I’ll certainly be doing more listening than I will be doing talking.’
This meeting marks the first in-person gathering with Al-Rumayyan since the March meeting in the Bahamas, which included a round of golf with Woods. Woods had previously noted that progress with the PIF has been gradual but steady, a sentiment underscored as Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of their initial agreement.
McIlroy also shared his thoughts on LIV Golf, predicting it won’t be ‘slowing down’ any time soon. Highlighting LIV’s recent expansion, including new office space in New York and a growing roster of over 200 employees and player contracts extending through 2029, he suggested that collaboration between PGA and LIV might be discussed in the coming weeks.
Looking ahead, McIlroy envisions a future where players might have the opportunity to participate in both tours, fostering an understanding and possibly cross-pollination between the two. ‘Looking a few years down the line, LIV is going to continue to sort of keep going down its path,’ McIlroy said. ‘But hopefully with maybe more of a collaboration, or an understanding between the tours. Maybe there is some cross-pollination there where players can start to play on both.’
As the PGA Tour’s transaction subcommittee prepares for this crucial meeting, all eyes will be on the outcomes that could shape the future of professional golf. McIlroy’s participation underscores the gravity of the discussions ahead.
Source: Nbcsports
