Rory McIlroy is poised to rejoin the PGA Tour board, potentially influencing negotiations with Saudi-backed LIV Golf. His return stems from a letter submitted by Webb Simpson, one of six player directors, who seeks to resign only if McIlroy replaces him. The request is expected to be discussed by the board as early as Wednesday.
McIlroy’s previous resignation in November cited time constraints amid ongoing negotiations with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. The deal ultimately fell through, leading to the PGA Tour’s partnership with Strategic Sports Group (SSG). However, McIlroy’s recent stance on LIV Golf has raised eyebrows. He has advocated for the return of LIV players to the PGA Tour without penalty, sparking disagreements with board members like Spieth.
Simpson’s resignation letter highlights the need for a European player on the board, as the current composition consists of five Americans and one Australian. McIlroy’s affiliation with Fenway Sports Group, which has ties to SSG, could influence his involvement.
Notably, McIlroy has a rapport with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor. Recent meetings between Al-Rumayyan and player directors, including a round of golf with Tiger Woods, have sparked speculation about a potential deal. McIlroy believes that closer collaboration with PIF could unify the game.
The challenge lies in addressing the significant bonuses received by players who joined LIV Golf, such as Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Dustin Johnson. McIlroy has expressed optimism about Al-Rumayyan’s intentions and sees SSG’s investment as a step towards unification. The details of how the $1.5 billion investment will be distributed among players are expected to be released this week.
