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Rory McIlroy believes golf fans deserve to see the world’s best compete more regularly and is hoping for a breakthrough in negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Progress on the merger between the PGA and DP World Tours with the PIF, which funds the breakaway LIV golf circuit, has been slow since a “framework agreement” was signed 15 months ago.
McIlroy has signed up for a televised match with world number one Scottie Scheffler against two of LIV’s biggest stars, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, in December.
“It’s a way to show golf fans and the world what could happen, or what the possibilities are for the future,” McIlroy said Wednesday ahead of his Irish Open.
“I’ve been saying this for a long time: I think golf and golf fans deserve to see us together more than just four times a year. That’s what we’ve tried to do.”
The world number three was often the centre of attention as the PGA Tour’s leading figure in the early months of LIV’s attempt to lure big names with huge financial incentives.
McIlroy has since decided to step aside, but is hopeful that talks scheduled for this week can lead to a breakthrough.
“I think everyone in the game would like to see one (a resolution),” added the four-time major winner.
“It’s difficult to find a solution because there are different interests and people want different things. There will have to be compromises on both sides, but I hope these are the issues they will talk about at these meetings.”
“I am hopeful and I hope that we will hear some good news in the near future, where things will start to improve.”
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