While playing in the Memorial Tournament this week, Rory McIlroy was in communication with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the PGA Tour.
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) and the PGA Tour met in New York City on Friday, and according to Rory McIlroy, the meeting was “very productive.”
A year after it was revealed that the two antagonistic parties had come to a framework agreement, The Tour and PIF are still in talks. The tension between the American circuit and their LIV Golf competitors is anticipated to end with a signed agreement.
With negotiations between the two sides taking longer than anticipated, doubts about the proposed deal had been raised in recent months. The two sides convened in New York this week in an effort to quicken negotiations.
Among those present was Tiger Woods, and because of his playing commitments at this week’s Memorial Tournament, McIlroy participated in the proceedings via video call as well. The four-time major winner turned his focus back to the course for Saturday’s third round at Muirfield Village following the discussions on Friday.
Moving day proved to be a frustrating day for McIlroy, as the Northern Irishman shot a frustrating one-over-par 73, leaving him at two-under for the week and tied for seventh with eighteen holes remaining. Following his third round, the focus swiftly returned to Friday’s negotiations, with the European giving reporters an update.
“Yes, extremely productive, constructive, and cooperative,” he responded. Those are probably the three terms I would use to characterize it. Yes, it was excellent. Without a doubt, things are moving in the correct direction. Much progress was achieved. It was really good, but I really can’t say much more than that.
McIlroy had previously disclosed that the leaders were gathering three times a week to finalize the proposed cease-fire. “In terms of the deal, like the financials and the legals and all that, I think more that was — those three calls a week were more to do with, like, their investment committee and SSG, so that was more — that’s what those calls were,” he continued on Saturday when asked what kind of discussions take place in said meetings.
“However, I believe that last night’s discussion focused more on the game’s future and its vision, and that’s where I saw a lot of advancements.” The Northern Irishman further acknowledged that he had been on the call for more than four hours total, three of which he had spent with PIF representatives.
When McIlroy left the PGA Tour policy board in November of last year, he first distanced himself from the off-course political scene. In recent weeks, he expressed interest in returning, but Woods and the other player directors on the board rejected his reapplication. The four-time major winner has been invited back to the negotiating table with PIF despite this.
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