Rory McIlroy recently opened up about the ongoing delays in the merger between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The framework agreement between the two circuits was announced in June 2023, but it has yet to be finalized.
As the PGA Tour approaches the conclusion of its 2024 season, Rory McIlroy expressed his frustration with the constant delays, stating that everyone is becoming “bored” with the prolonged process.
In an interview with Golf.com at East Lake Golf Club, the venue for this week’s Tour Championship, McIlroy was asked about the merger. He spoke about the lack of progress, calling it “unfortunate.” He said:
“More of the same, I guess. I thought there would have been more progress made, which is unfortunate. I think at this point, everyone’s just getting bored of it, just getting tired of it. It’s just become a bit of a cloud over golf. But a very niche cloud, y’know? I wish more would have been done, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of willingness from some people to try to fix it.”
Amid the merger talks, both circuits are nearing the end of their 2024 seasons. This week, PGA Tour players began competing in the Tour Championship, which will conclude on Sunday, September 1. Meanwhile, LIV Golf will host its Chicago event later this month, followed by their season-ending Team Championship in Dallas.
McIlroy teed off at the ongoing Tour Championship on Thursday, August 29, and after the first round, he was tied for 13th place.
“Saudis are going to have look at alternative options” – Rory McIlroy on potential PGA-PIF deal collapse
During the press conference for the 2024 Tour Championship on August 29, Rory McIlroy was asked by a reporter about the future of the merger between the PIF and the PGA Tour, and what might happen if the deal doesn’t materialize anytime soon.
“Do you think if it doesn’t happen soon, something doesn’t happen soon, we run the risk of — knowing that it’s not that easy to make this all happen, that 2026 is going to pass us by?” the reporter questioned (via ASAP Sports).
In response, McIlroy admitted that if things “don’t happen soon,” the Saudis will probably look for “alternative options.” He said (as quoted by ASAP Sports):
“Yeah, I think if it doesn’t happen soon, then honestly, I think PIF and the Saudis are going to have to look at alternative options, right? I think that’s probably the — I’d say that’s the next step in all this if something doesn’t get done.”
However, only time will tell how the deal between the PGA Tour and PIF progresses. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy will tee off for the second round of the Tour Championship on Friday, August 30. He will pair up with Justin Thomas to start his game at 12:49 p.m. ET.
The second round will begin at 11:16 a.m. ET, with Christian Bezuidenhout taking the first shot of the day alongside Billy Horschel. Scottie Scheffler will tee off at 2:00 p.m. ET with Collin Morikawa.
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Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer
