Rory McIlroy backs Donald Trump to ‘clear the way’ for PGA Tour-PIF deal following presidency victory
Rory McIlroy believes that Donald Trump becoming President can help the PGA Tour and PIF deal to progress a bit faster.
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Rory McIlroy (L) and Donald Trump (R) [Image via Imago]
Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy believes Donald Trump can ‘clear the way‘ for the PGA Tour-PIF deal. This comes after the 78-year-old claimed a historic win in the 2024 US Presidential elections.
The President-elect said he could get the merger deal between the PGA Tour and PIF done in 15 minutes. This happens only if he becomes the President for the second time. Now, since that has become a reality, McIlroy has backed Trump to positively affect the deal.
In June 2023, the PGA Tour and the backers of LIV Golf, PIF, announced a merger deal to unify. Since then, several meetings of top officials of the two parties have occurred. However, the deal has not yet come to an agreement.
McIlroy previously stated that a 50-50 split between the players on both sides. He also stated that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) remains a major obstacle to the deal. Last year, the DOJ forced the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to remove the non-solicitation clause that prevented either side from poaching players.
With Donald Trump becoming the President again, he could influence the priorities of the DOJ. Having good relations with the Saudi officials of LIV Golf can smoothen the process with Trump involved.
Given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think that clears the way a little bit. So we’ll see.
Rory McIlroy said as per Irish Independent.
???? #NEW: Rory McIlroy reacts to President-elect Trump’s election and was asked how it will impact the PGA TOUR – PlF deal progress @TrackingRory
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) November 6, 2024
“Given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think that clears the way a little bit. So we’ll see.”
“He’s got Elon… pic.twitter.com/AVLRwVO9KR
In a separate interview with Sky Sports, McIlroy also backed Trump’s claim to finish the deal in 15 minutes. The Northern Irish golfer claimed that with the ‘smartest man in the world‘ Elon Musk on his side, Trump might be able to do something.
Rory McIlroy comments on reports of the PGA Tour-PIF deal getting finalized
Ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week, the media asked Rory McIlroy about his comments regarding reports of the PGA Tour and PIF finalizing the merger deal. The 35-year-old stated that this was the first time he had heard about this.
According to a recent report from The Sun, the $1.3 billion deal between the two tours had been finalized, with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy playing a major part. However, McIlroy claimed that he had not heard anything about it.
It’s the first that I’ve heard of it. I know Jay (Monahan) was in Saudi Arabia last week at the FII (the Future Investment Initiative conference) and was having some meetings. I think I would’ve heard if there was. 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.
Rory McIlroy said during Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship press conference.
"It's the first I've heard of it. I know Jay was in Saudi Arabia last week at the FII and was having some meetings.
— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) November 6, 2024
"He's briefing the transaction committee tonight, maybe some news comes out of that."
Rory McIlroy says there is no deal he knows of between PIF and PGA Tour pic.twitter.com/z4ayWIPnur
So, nobody knows when the merger deal will actually be finalized. Only time will tell when this deal will go through and bring an end to the golf civil war, which has gone on for three years now.
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Vinay Dave
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