Rory McIlroy’s Involvement in Saudi-Backed LIV Golf Discussions Revealed
World-famous golfer Rory McIlroy shocks fans by joining discussions with the Saudi-supported LIV Golf League, marking a significant shift from his earlier stance. Explore his role in the Transaction Committee and recent PGA Tour updates.
In a surprising turn of events, world-renowned golfer Rory McIlroy has announced his involvement in discussions with the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf League. This revelation comes despite McIlroy’s previous adamant stance against the breakaway tour, where he had vowed to retire rather than play on the Saudi-funded circuit.
Speaking to reporters after finishing the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship, three shots off the pace and tied for second place, McIlroy disclosed that he has had conversations with the newly formed Transaction Committee, as announced by the PGA Tour in a press release on Thursday.
“I’ve already had calls with that group, I had a really good hour and a half Zoom with those guys on Sunday, we went through a 150-page doc about the future product model and everything,” McIlroy said. “Yeah, I’m not on the board, but I’m in some way involved in that Transaction Committee. I don’t have a vote so I don’t, you know, I don’t have I guess a meaningful say in what happens in the future.”
McIlroy described his involvement in the committee as a “compromise” for not securing a board seat, aiming to be “helpful” in the ongoing discussions.
The PGA Tour’s announcement revealed the appointment of Joe Gorder, the chair and chief executive of Valero, as the inaugural chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises. Additionally, Australian golfer Adam Scott and the legendary Tiger Woods have been appointed to the board.
The formation of a Transaction Subcommittee was also mentioned, directly engaged in negotiations with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund that bankrolls the LIV Golf League.
This development follows McIlroy’s earlier decline to replace Webb Simpson on the PGA Tour policy board, citing the reopening of “old wounds” as a reason for his decision.
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