San Diego – Rory McIlroy completed the match as a potential deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
“Whether you are on the PGA Tour or leaving [for LIV Golf]we all benefit from all of this. “McIlroy said before the Genesis Invitational, highlighting the $20 million wallet for the event. ? Let’s move forward together and let’s try to achieve that again and do what’s best for the game.”
McIlroy was once one of Liv’s most outspoken critics. He admitted on Wednesday that he initially disliked the sport or fans of its format caused by Liv. But the four-time major champion said he now believes that the current tour (both tours operated separately with top players participating in just four major titles) is unsustainable.
“We all have to say, ‘Well, this is the starting point, we move forward. We’re not behind us, we don’t look over.’ “It’s a good thing to have Bryson DeChambeau come back for this tour. ”
Last week, PGA Tour Commissioners Jay Monahan and Adam Scott met with President Donald Trump in an attempt to speed up the process of facilitating the deal. Sources previously told ESPN that the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division is reviewing potential PFA investments in PGA Tourprises, the for-profit entity of the tour.
Monahan said Wednesday that the goal of such conversations is not just financial investment between PIF and PGA Tourprises, but about “a tour unified unity in professional matches where all the best players are More than “only four times a year.
“Everything goes forward at speed, and I think when you look at all the parties involved, there is a general’s general’s general’s general’s general’s enthusiasm,” Monahan told reporters Wednesday. “I think the meeting [with Trump] Ultimately brings us closer to the step of completing the transaction, but there is still a lot of work to be done. ”
Although neither Trump nor the White House made a statement at the meeting, both Monahan and McIlroy said they believed the president favored the unification of the sport and called two tours on the PGA Tour Under the umbrella.
McIlroy said he met with Trump and played a round of golf with Trump before taking office last month, and said they discussed Liv, an event at the president’s golf property An event was held in the middle.
“I learned he’s not a fan of the LIV format,” McIlroy said. “I was like, ‘But you hosted their event.” He was like, “Yes, but that doesn’t mean I like it. ” So I think he’s on the tour. ”
McIlroy said what makes Trump possible in the negotiations is that he can directly engage with Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the boss of PIF Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud contacted.
“Not many people can say [to Yasir]”I hope you finish this deal, by the way, I’m going to talk to your boss, I’m going to tell him the same thing.” Talk to Donald Trump Jr. in “Genesis” Wednesday . He may have influence. ”
Although Monahan reiterated that figuring out the process of trading, let alone how to reunite the game is complicated, McIlroy said he believed it might be simple. In his opinion, players who go to LIV and want to re-enter the PGA Tour should be able to gain status. McIlroy said that in terms of the player’s rights plan, the returning players should not automatically get it, but should have the opportunity to make money in some form.
“The players on the PGA Tour have more leverage than they have to go to the Tour, saying we want this, we want that,” McIlroy said. “But at the same time, I regret some of these decisions, too.” , because it puts the tour where they extend financially, they have to consider taking money from elsewhere to try to compete.”
A year ago, Strategic Sports Group announced an investment of up to $3 billion in PGA Tourprises, including a $1.5 billion player interest program, McIlroy said Wednesday that he wanted to learn more about the move.
“How will we deal with it [other] One billion? What do we want to invest in? When asked what problems he had with Monahan, McIlroy said: “I have an equity stake in this company and I want the company to grow. I’m basically like a [limited partner] What are we doing in the fund? ”
In response to McIlroy’s inquiry, Monahan has established an investment committee and is looking at various options to use funding to improve, although the tour has not yet been spent on money.
“We are currently discussing some opportunities,” Monaghan said. “We are actively looking at deals that will make the PGA Tour stronger and complement our business.”
However, no other deal on this tour is as important as PIF. While any complications of the partnership are still being resolved, McIlroy said he is optimistic about the potential for more tournaments to the best players in the world rather than later.
“I absolutely think that in 2026 you can get to the point where we often play together,” he said. “I think there is a chance here, in 26 years, I don’t think it’s going to go all the way there, but I think you hope You can start to see where it can go.”
