04 February 2024 , 19:11
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Rory McIlroy removed himself from a PGA Tour-player group chat in a bid to distance himself from the ongoing negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
McIlroy has often been at the centre of the saga surrounding the PGA Tour and their LIV Golf rivals, but after the beginning of discussions to form a peace deal between the two last June, the Northern Irishman has taken a step back. The latest chapter in the saga came earlier this week, after the PGA Tour announced a deal with Strategic Sports Group (SSG).
SSG - containing Liverpool FC ownership, Fenway Sports Group - are set to pump an eye-watering £2.4billion ($3bn) into the circuit's new for-profit entity, PGA Tour Enterprises.
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The deal with the U.S.-based investor has cast some doubt over the proposed agreement with PIF, with whom the PGA Tour remain in negotiations with. On the back of the SSG investment, Jordan Spieth raised eyebrows at Pebble Beach this week, claiming the Tour no longer need the backing of PIF.
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This is the polar opposite view of McIlroy, who still welcomes the alliance with the Saudi fund, despite his previous criticism. On the back of their differing views, the four-time major champion has revealed he was involved in one-hour phone call with Spieth, where they laid out their thoughts.
Discussing his group chat removal and call with the American, McIlroy said per Sports Illustrated: "I just want to remove myself from the fray a little bit. I talked to [Spieth] about his comments. And we had a pretty frank discussion.”
Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth have differing views on the PIF investment (Getty Images)McIlroy went on to admit that whilst he understands Spieth's views on PIF, it could well have a negative impact on future investment. "My thing was if I’m the original investor that thought that they were going to get this deal done back in July, and I'm hearing a board member say that, you know, we don't really need them, now, how are they going to think about that, what are they gonna feel about that?” he added.
"They are still sitting out there with hundreds of billions of dollars, if not trillions, that they're gonna pour it into sport. And I know what Jordan was saying, I absolutely know what he was saying and what he was trying to say. But if I were PIF and I was hearing that coming from here, the day after doing this SSG deal, it wouldn't have made me too happy, I guess?”
The Saudi fund themselves addressed the PGA Tour's latest step without their involvement, after governor, Yasir Al-Rumayaan penned a letter to LIV Golf's membership. Per Golfweek, the Saudi boss wrote: "Yesterday’s announcement of the formation of PGA Tour Enterprises is consistent with PIF’s longstanding passion to grow the game.
"PIF continues to discuss and evaluate the possibility of a future investment that benefits the greater game of golf. PIF remains committed to investing in and supporting LIV and the team golf format that has brought new energy and so many new fans to the game around the world.
"The game of golf is only beginning to fulfil its potential. This is the vision we had when LIV was created, and today that is more alive than ever. LIV has transformed the sport, and we will continue to grow the game globally, expand its fanbase, elevate its platform, and maintain incredible momentum."