McIlroy details reason behind quitting PGA Tour role as LIV Golf merger looms
Rory McIlroy has revealed he opted to resign from the PGA Tour's Policy Board due to having a 'lot going on' in his life both on and off the golf course.
It was announced on tuesday that McIlroy had quit his role as a player director on the board, as PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan thanked the four-time major winner for his efforts. Two days later McIlroy returned to action at the DP World Tour Championship, carding a one-under-par 71 to leave him in a tie for 15th following round one.
On the back of his opening round in the Middle East, the Northern Irishman opened up on the reasoning behind his decision to walk away from the PGA Tour Policy Board, whilst framework agreement negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) are ongoing.
READ MORE: Tiger Woods hits new career low after PGA Tour legend provides major fitness update
“Yeah, I just think I’ve got a lot going on in my life between my golf game, my family and my growing investment portfolio, my involvement in TGL, and I just felt like something had to give,” McIlroy said. "I just didn’t feel like I could commit the time and the energy into doing that.
Bubba Watson shares details of horror knee injury ahead of LIV Golf debut
“I don’t mind being busy, but I just like being busy doing my own stuff. Something had to give and there’s guys that are on that board that are spending a lot more time and a lot more energy on it than I am. It’s in good hands and I felt like it was the right time to step off.”
McIlroy has found himself at the centre of the saga surrounding the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Having stayed loyal to the American-based circuit throughout, the four-time major champion emerged as one of the breakaway league's biggest critics following LIV's rapid rise.
Rory McIlroy has been at the centre of the saga surrounding LIV Golf and PGA Tour (PA)In June it appeared the feud between the two rival circuits was coming to an end, after a shock agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF was announced. The deal will see the Tour join forces with their LIV rivals, as well as the DP World Tour under one entity named 'NewCo'.
On the back of the announcement in the summer, McIlroy - who had played an integral role of batting off the threat of the breakaway league - admitted he was left feeling like a 'sacrificial lamb'. “It’s hard for me to not sit up here and feel somewhat like a sacrificial lamb and feeling like I’ve put myself out there and this is what happens," he said at the RBC Canadian Open.
Admitting the deal with the Middle Eastern state does have its benefits though, he added: “Removing myself from the situation, I see how this is better for the game of golf, there’s no denying it.” Doubt had been case over the framework agreement in recent weeks, with negotiations appearing to take longer than first thought.
An initial deadline of December 31 was set, but this is expected to be missed. In an update earlier this week the PGA Tour informed its playing members per ESPN that they would receive an equity share in the new-found entity when a deal is officially signed off.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
