Golf’s world number three, Rory McIlroy, believes Donald Trump’s return to the White House could be the key to bridging the rift between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit. And he’s betting that Elon Musk’s involvement could add a powerful new edge to negotiations.
The US PGA Tour has been locked in prolonged discussions with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) as they seek to mend the bitter divide in men’s professional golf, where star players on the LIV circuit remain banned from the PGA Tour. However, a proposed deal that surfaced in mid-2023 still faces hurdles—primarily from the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which is eyeing the merger’s implications for antitrust laws.
“Given recent events, I think the path might be a bit clearer now,” McIlroy said after Trump clinched the presidency.
The DOJ operates independently of the White House, but the president’s influence extends to key legal appointments, including the attorney general. This could affect how smoothly the deal might move forward.
In a recent podcast appearance with NFL coaching legend Bill Belichick, Trump claimed he could solve golf’s “civil war” in no time, boasting that it’d take him “about 15 minutes to get that deal done.”
McIlroy, who has previously cited DOJ concerns as the main obstacle to the PGA and PIF’s deal, thinks Trump’s return could be pivotal—and is intrigued by the idea of Musk joining the conversation.
“We’ll see,” the 35-year-old said. “Trump might be able to do something, especially with Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest guy out there, beside him.”
“He’s got a great relationship with Saudi Arabia, and he’s a big golf fan. So, who knows?” McIlroy added. But he acknowledged, “As president, he’s probably got a lot on his plate beyond golf.”
Trump has consistently praised the wealth of LIV Golf and hosted five of its tournaments on his courses since its launch in 2022. During his victory speech, he even invited Bryson DeChambeau, a LIV star and US Open champion, on stage to celebrate, sporting a “Make America Great Again” cap.
On Belichick’s podcast, Trump called for a single tour that features the sport’s best talents. He said, “I think there should be one tour with the top players.”
Rumors of a $1 billion deal have been circulating, with reports that the Saudis would secure an 11% stake in the PGA Tour, with PIF governor Yasir Al Rumayyan potentially taking on the role of PGA chair. However, some sources have called these reports “premature,” noting significant legal obstacles due to US antitrust laws.
As a member of the PGA Tour’s transaction committee, McIlroy expects to receive an update soon from PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who recently held talks in Saudi Arabia.
Preparing for this week’s HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship, McIlroy has his sights set on the Race to Dubai title, which he could secure with one tournament to spare if he wins. Meanwhile, he’s been less concerned about the swing states than his own swing, focusing on his technique ahead of his return.
Following last month’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, McIlroy said he dedicated three weeks to practicing his backswing in a studio, aiming for peak form ahead of Thursday’s tournament.
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