Newly crowned Masters champion Rory McIlroy has weighed in on the stalled negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, suggesting there’s no need to rush into a unification agreement. Speaking in a recent interview, McIlroy emphasized that while reuniting both tours would be good for golf in the long term, the PGA Tour currently holds the upper hand.
“We’ve got momentum,” McIlroy said, referring to increasing television ratings and strong performances from top players. “The product is strong right now. There’s no need to force a deal immediately.”
The five-time major winner, who recently announced a major business move by partnering with a $200 billion investment group, still believes the sport would benefit if the best players from both tours competed more than just four times a year at majors. However, he stressed that any deal needs to be right—not rushed.
Negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league have dragged on since the initial framework agreement was announced in 2023. The proposed merger would see the Public Investment Fund (PIF) inject billions into PGA Tour Enterprises. But political scrutiny, particularly from the Department of Justice, has slowed progress.
Following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2024, there was renewed optimism, especially after key figures from both sides were invited to talks. Despite this, discussions appear to have cooled once again, and a finalized agreement remains elusive.
McIlroy, once a vocal opponent of LIV, has since softened his tone. Though he resigned from the PGA Tour’s policy board in late 2023, he was appointed to the Tour’s Transaction Subcommittee in 2024, working alongside Tiger Woods and Adam Scott—keeping him in the loop on high-level negotiations.
“I think the PGA Tour is in a strong position, but eventually both sides need to come together for the greater good of the game,” McIlroy said.
As professional golf remains split, McIlroy continues to advocate for unity—but only on the right terms and timeline.
