PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy tells reporter: "First I've heard of it"
Rory McIlroy says recent reports that lightning has struck between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's backers may be premature.
Rory McIlroy has pushed back on a recent report suggesting a deal has been agreed between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's Saudi backers.
McIlroy, 35, is in the UAE this week ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Naturally, his pre-tournament news conference was filled with questions about a report from the Sun that was published over the weekend.
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The British tabloid claimed lightning had struck between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
It was claimed that a deal worth $1bn was to be announced, with the PIF taking an 11 per cent stake in PGA Tour Enterprises.
And it was also claimed that the PIF would get two seats on the board - one of them being chairman - that is expected to be filled by LIV mastermind Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
According to the paper, McIlroy and Tiger Woods were crucial in getting the deal over the line.
But according to the four-time major champion, if an agreement has been made then he is yet to be informed.
McIlroy told reporters: "Yeah, this is the first I've heard of it.
"I know Jay was in Saudi Arabia last week at the FII and was having some meetings."
McIlroy was referring to the PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
Monahan announced the 'framework agreement' last June alongside Al-Rumayyan on national television.
The news left golf fans - and McIlroy - completely stunned given the unprecedented disruption leading up to it.
McIlroy has since changed his tune, and is an advocate for PIF investment into the game of golf.
He declared at the turn of the year he was far too judgemental of the players that bolted.
McIlroy continued: "But, I think I would have heard if there was [an agreement].
"I know he's briefing the transaction committee tonight, maybe some news comes out of that
"But as far as I'm aware I haven't heard a thing."
Watch his comments here:
McIlroy says Trump may be able to fix PGA Tour/LIV issues
Donald Trump is projected to win the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.
Trump was joined on stage by Bryson DeChambeau shortly after he declared victory.
The 78-year-old previously claimed he could fix the LIV/PGA Tour deal 'in 15 minutes'.
McIlroy said: "He might be able to. He's got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him.
"We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too.
"Yeah, I think from the outside looking in, it's probably a little less complicated than it actually is.
"But obviously Trump has great relationship with Saudi Arabia.
"He's got a great relationship with golf. He's a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?
"But I think as the President of the United States again, he's probably got bigger things to focus on than golf."
What time does Rory McIlroy tee off this week?
McIlroy has been handed a 9.23am GMT tee time on Thursday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship alongside Thriston Lawrence and Rasmus Hojgaard.
The DP World Tour tournament is the first of two playoff events that will bring the curtain down on the 2023-2024 season.
He leads the Race to Dubai Rankings and is the clear favourite to win the order of merit for a sixth time.
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