Golf world reacts to bombshell Rory McIlroy report

Rory McIlroy is close to rejoining the PGA Tour's policy board after Webb Simpson tendered his resignation and explicitly asked for the Northern Irishman to replace him, according to a report. 

Per Ewan Murray of the Guardian, it is said that McIlroy's return to the position is subject to a vote that will take place later this week involving the other board members. 

Those board members include Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Peter Malnati, Patrick Cantlay and Adam Scott. 

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It has also been suggested that McIlroy will also be given a spot on the board of PGA Tour Enterprises, a for-profit company that was created last June as part of the North American circuit's 6 June framework agreement with LIV Golf's backers, the PIF of Saudi Arabia. 

Four-time major champion McIlroy, who turns 35 next month, made the shock decision to quit his role on the board last November. 

At the time, McIlroy stated that 'something had to give' as he cited a desire to just concentrate on playing professional golf and leave the off-course bickering to others. 

But his resignation came after the PGA Tour blindsided the sporting world by announcing an armistice with PIF after months of unprecedented disruption in the elite men's game. 

McIlroy told of how he felt like the Tour's 'sacrificial lamb' having rallied against the breakaway since its inception. 

The Netflix cameras captured his NSFW reaction to that deal before the Canadian Open. 

"I'm almost at the stage where I'm like, f--- it, do what you wanna do," he said. 

As the dust settled on the peace deal announcement, McIlroy slowly started to soften with his views on LIV and called for the game to be reunited. 

"The game is way better with all of us together," he said. 

His position appeared to contradict with some board members who stated publicly that allowing LIV players back into the fold - should they desire - would not be simple. 

This was illustrated when he was replaced by Spieth on the board and the American suggested the North American circuit didn't necessarily have to cut a deal with the PIF after PGA Tour Enterprises agreed a $1.5bn private equity deal with Strategic Sports Group.

McIlroy later said he felt like he was banging his head against a brick wall as his voice wasn't being heard. 

There were also unsubstantiated reports that he didn't see eye-to-eye with Woods. 

The news, while a bit of a shock, comes as no surprise given the aforementioned framework agreement is yet to be consummated. 

It is hoped that McIlroy can help the establishment make progress in negotiations with the PIF. 

McIlroy has met with LIV's chairman and PIF governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, on multiple occasions. 

He has described him in the past as 'a very impressive man'. 

There were whispers that McIlroy was set for a shock $850m move to LIV after the golfer endured another forgettable Masters. 

But McIlroy emphatically denied he was leaving and stated he has never had an offer on the table. 

And nor would he consider one, he claimed. 

"I will play the PGA Tour for the rest of my life," he said. 

Reacting to the reporting by the Guardian, one X user wrote: "I love Rory but you've got to be kidding me." 

Another joked: "Good. Rory McIlroy is only good at golf when his brain is fried."

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