Adam Scott on Rory McIlroy's shock PGA Tour decision? "Somewhat surprised"

Adam Scott has revealed he was surprised Rory McIlroy resigned from his influential position on the PGA Tour's policy board as he cast doubt on the future of men's professional golf. 

The news McIlroy abruptly left his position of power was broken shortly before the DP World Tour Championship. 

McIlroy, 34, later explained 'something had to give' as he spoke of a demanding, off-course schedule and his desperation to concentrate on completing the career grand slam by finally winning the Masters.  

Yet there is absolutely no denying McIlroy has been less vocal since the PGA Tour blindsided the sporting world by announcing the 6 June framework agreement with LIV Golf's financiers, the PIF of Saudi Arabia. 

McIlroy complained of feeling like the Tour's 'sacrificial lamb' having fully embraced his role of a defacto spokesperson for the North American circuit's membership. 

He did go on to say that the deal, if agreed, would ultimately neutralise LIV's threat of hijacking the sport completely. 

McIlroy said he 'sincerely hoped' the PIF would be an investor in the new, for-profit company called PGA Tour Enterprises. 

Scott, who also sits on the policy board which meets multiple times a year, told reporters before the Australian PGA Championship he was somewhat surprised by McIlroy's decision. 

"I heard that he was ready to step down earlier in the year, but he stayed and saw the year out," Scott said. 

He added: "Like his statement [said], I haven't talked to him about it since then, but he feels like he's got other priorities and he's giving a lot of time everywhere and he couldn't give the time to this any more.

"In one way that's being responsible rather than holding a board seat and not being engaged."

Asked about the aforementioned PGA Tour-PIF deal, Scott added: "It's really hard to know if the deal's going to go through or not. As everyone knows, there's four or five other parties interested in investing in the PGA Tour like PIF.

"So management have a lot of work to do to get some final deals on the table so the board can have a look at it and see if there's a deal that is good for everyone."

Jordan Spieth has been confirmed as McIlroy's replacement. 

What McIlroy said about leaving the PGA Tour's policy board...

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