Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently commented on the “Let’s Go!” podcast that he could help facilitate a deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which financially backs LIV Golf, suggesting he could do it in “15 minutes.” Despite a framework agreement being reached in June 2023, the two sides have yet to finalize a deal.
When asked about Trump’s remarks during a press conference at the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Wednesday, McIlroy responded with cautious optimism. “He might be able to,” McIlroy said. “He’s got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him. We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too.
“Yeah, I think from the outside looking in, it’s probably a little less complicated than it actually is. But obviously, Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?”
McIlroy went on to add, “But I think as the President of the United States again, he’s probably got bigger things to focus on than golf.”
One of the main challenges to reaching an agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has been the U.S. Department of Justice’s involvement. The DOJ has scrutinized the potential deal, and last year it forced the Tour and LIV Golf to remove a non-solicitation clause that prevented either side from poaching players, further complicating the negotiations.
Last week, the British tabloid The Sun ran a headline declaring, “Golf’s Civil War OVER as Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods help negotiate £1BILLION peace deal between PGA Tour and LIV Golf.” However, McIlroy was quick to dismiss the report.
“It’s the first that I’ve heard of it,” McIlroy stated. “I know [PGA Tour commissioner] Jay [Monahan] was in Saudi Arabia last week at the FII and was having some meetings. But no, I think I would have heard if there was something finalized.
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“I know he’s briefing the transaction committee tonight. So maybe some news comes out of that. But as far as I’m aware, I haven’t heard a thing.”
Despite the uncertainty, McIlroy expressed hope that the recent election results in the United States could pave the way for progress in professional golf’s ongoing dispute. As a member of the PGA Tour’s transaction subcommittee responsible for negotiating with the PIF, McIlroy offered a glimmer of optimism for the future.
“Obviously given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think that clears the way a little bit,” McIlroy said. “So we’ll see.”
McIlroy’s comments highlight the complex and evolving nature of the negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Trump’s involvement, given his ties to Saudi Arabia and his enthusiasm for the sport, could potentially facilitate progress. However, as McIlroy noted, the situation is far from simple, and there are still numerous hurdles to overcome before any deal is reached.
For now, the golf world remains in a state of flux, with many stakeholders—including players like McIlroy—hoping for a resolution that can bring unity to the sport.
Whether or not Trump’s return to power will make a difference remains to be seen, but there is a sense that change is on the horizon. As the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continue to navigate these challenging negotiations, the hope is that a lasting peace can be achieved that benefits the game as a whole.
