Rory McIlroy reveals reason behind quitting PGA Tour role as LIV Golf merger looms

Over the past year, Rory McIlroy has been a major contributor off the course for the PGA Tour. However, the former world No. 1 has decided to step down from his position on the circuit’s Policy Board.

As a result of having a “lot going on” in his life outside of the game of golf, Rory McIlroy has disclosed that he chose to step down from the PGA Tour Policy Board.

On Wednesday, McIlroy’s resignation from the board as a player director was announced. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan expressed gratitude to the four-time major winner for his contributions. McIlroy made his comeback to the game the next day at the DP World Tour Championship, where he shot a one-under-par 71 to tie for 15th place after the first round.

Following his first-round performance in the Middle East, the Northern Irishman gave an explanation for his decision to resign from the PGA Tour Policy Board, even as he continued to negotiate a framework agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).

“Yes, I felt like something had to give because I have a lot going on in my life, including my golf game, my family, my expanding investment portfolio, and my involvement in TGL,” McIlroy remarked. “I simply didn’t think I could devote the necessary time and effort to completing that.

“I don’t mind being busy, but I just like being busy doing my own stuff. Something had to give and there’s guys that are on that board that are spending a lot more time and a lot more energy on it than I am. It’s in good hands and I felt like it was the right time to step off.”

McIlroy has found himself at the centre of the saga surrounding the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Having stayed loyal to the American-based circuit throughout, the four-time major champion emerged as one of the breakaway league’s biggest critics following LIV’s rapid rise.

In June it appeared the feud between the two rival circuits was coming to an end, after a shock agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF was announced. The deal will see the Tour join forces with their LIV rivals, as well as the DP World Tour under one entity named ‘NewCo’.

On the back of the announcement in the summer, McIlroy – who had played an integral role of batting off the threat of the breakaway league – admitted he was left feeling like a ‘sacrificial lamb’. “It’s hard for me to not sit up here and feel somewhat like a sacrificial lamb and feeling like I’ve put myself out there and this is what happens,” he said at the RBC Canadian Open.

“Removing myself from the situation, I see how this is better for the game of golf, there’s no denying it,” he said, acknowledging that the agreement with the Middle Eastern state has advantages. In recent weeks, there had been uncertainty surrounding the framework agreement as it seemed that negotiations were taking longer than anticipated.

Although December 31st was the original deadline, it is anticipated that this will be missed. The PGA Tour told its playing members earlier this week, according to ESPN, that upon the official signing of a deal, they would receive an equity share in the newly formed company.

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