Rory McIlroy, one of the most influential figures in golf, is expected to make a dramatic return to the PGA Tour’s policy board this week, just five months after he stepped down from his role. This move comes amidst rumors of a mega-money switch to LIV Golf, which McIlroy has emphatically rejected.
Despite not having won a major for ten years, the 34-year-old Northern Irishman still holds the second spot in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). He has been a vocal figurehead for the PGA Tour during its ongoing dispute with LIV Golf, a breakaway circuit backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The golf world has been split since LIV’s introduction in 2022, with some of the biggest names, such as Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka, leaving the PGA Tour for the lucrative payouts offered by LIV. McIlroy was initially a vocal critic of the circuit, but his stance has softened over time, leading to speculation that he might also leave the PGA Tour.
In November last year, McIlroy resigned from his position on the PGA Tour’s policy board. Rumors then began to circulate about a possible £672 million move to LIV following the Masters earlier this month. Last week, however, McIlroy confirmed his intention to continue playing on the PGA Tour for the rest of his career.
Now, according to The Guardian, a vote is scheduled for Wednesday to determine whether McIlroy will become a director on the PGA Tour’s policy board. McIlroy is set to replace Webb Simpson, who has stepped down and requested that the Northern Irishman take his place. The upcoming vote will not only determine if McIlroy takes Simpson’s place but also if he’ll steer the commercial arm as a director of PGA Tour Enterprises.
This strategic move marks McIlroy’s comeback to the heart of the PGA Tour’s ongoing tussle with the breakaway LIV series. While discussions of a potential merger with the PIF continue, no agreement has been reached. McIlroy’s decision to rejoin the board comes as a surprise, given his resignation merely five months prior.
When quizzed by BBC Sport about whether his departure had been long-anticipated, McIlroy admitted: “It has. Something had to give. There’s only so many hours in the day and so many days in the week and I’ve got a lot going on in my life right now. Between trying to be a world-class golfer and trying to be a good husband and a good father, I’ve got a growing investment portfolio that’s taking up more of my time… I’ve got a lot going on.”
However, it seems McIlroy is reinvigorated and ready for another stint. His fellow board members, including stars like Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth, are set to cast their votes on his return. Notably, McIlroy had a heated exchange with Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava during last year’s Ryder Cup, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his potential comeback. Spieth and McIlroy have also disagreed over whether PIF’s financial investment should be embraced by the PGA Tour. Spieth remains uncertain, while McIlroy is keen to collaborate with LIV’s funders and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan to reunite the sport.
