[April 20, 2024, 3:36 am] Cephas: Four-time major championship winner Rory McIlroy denied a story in a London tabloid that he had been given $850 million and an equity part in the LIV Golf League, saying instead that he intends to end his career on the PGA Tour.
According to McIlroy, he and his representatives have never talked about a possible agreement to entice him to the LIV Golf League, which is supported by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia.
McIlroy said to Golf Channel, “I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” while using the practice area at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, home of this week’s RBC Heritage. “Neither have I ever considered visiting LIV, nor have I ever received a number from them. Once more, I believe I’ve expressed my opinion that it’s not anything for me during the last two years.
“It doesn’t imply that I hold those who have visited and played there in low regard. During the past two years, I believe I have come to the realization that people are free to choose what they believe is best for themselves, and who are we to condemn them for that? However, I have always felt that the PGA Tour is where I will spend my future.
[Aug 20, 2024, 3:39 am] Cephas: Will golf make a comeback? An update on the possible PGA Tour-Saudi PIF agreement 33dA 24-time winner on the tour, Mark Schlabach McIlroy is also slated to compete in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event, with Shane Lowry of Ireland the following week.
For us, it’s never even been a conversation, according to McIlroy. “Unfortunately, this is the state of our game, and we must deal with it. Of course, I’m here, I’ll be at the PGA Tour tournament the following week, and I plan to play on the Tour for the remainder of my career.”
The Irish Independent received an email from McIlroy’s agent, Sean O’Flaherty, stating that there was “zero truth” to a report by the London financial paper City A.M. stating that the world’s second-ranked golfer was considering a $850 million offer from the LIV Golf League, which included a 2% equity stake.
“I think over the last two years, there’s been so many rumors of guys,” McIlroy stated. “I think the one thing I’ve realized as well is guys need to keep an open mind, and I’m sure there’s been players that are still playing on the PGA Tour that have talked to the guys from LIV and had offers and whatever.”
Despite signing a framework agreement on June 6th to form an alliance, the PIF and the PGA Tour have not been able to clinch an agreement. The framework agreement was extended while talks are ongoing; it was set to expire on December 31.
In December of last year, LIV Golf reportedly offered Jon Rahm, the third-ranked player in the world, a contract worth over $350 million.
PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan met in the Bahamas on March 18 with players directors from the tour’s policy board, including Tiger Woods, and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
Having tied for 22nd at the Masters last week, McIlroy has been among the more outspoken opponents of LIV Golf and its team philosophy.
In June of last year, at the 2023 RBC Canadian Open in Toronto, he confessed to reporters, “I still hate LIV.” Like, I detest LIV. I kind of wish it disappears.”
Following the announcement of the PGA Tour’s impending partnership with the PIF, McIlroy expressed feeling like a “sacrificial lamb.”
McIlroy’s stance on letting players who departed for LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour and whether or not they should be eligible to compete in the Ryder Cup has changed over the last few months.