Rory McIlroy confirms South African billionaire trying to force PGA Tour-PIF deal
Rory McIlroy believes it may take another three months to find out if the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf's backers can strike a deal.
Rory McIlroy hailed the influence of Africa's richest man as he revealed the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf's backers may take until the end of the year agree a peace deal.
McIlroy, 35, made the claim ahead of this week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
He is playing the popular DP World Tour event in Scotland alongside his father Gerry, who will celebrate his 65th birthday this weekend.
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Several influential figures from the warring tours are also teeing it up at the home of golf.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has been paired with Newcastle United and LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
Al-Rummayan is the governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
The PGA Tour, PIF and DP World Tour entered into a 'framework agreement' last June which sent shockwaves across the world of sport.
But no deal has been agreed.
McIlroy told reporters before the BMW PGA Championship two weeks ago that stumbling blocks to the deal include scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice and players from both sides of the divide simply looking out for themselves.
But he struck an upbeat tone on Tuesday, telling BBC Sport Northern Ireland: "There's no better place than the home of golf to try and get everyone together and talking.
"I think it's a great thing and good sign that Jay and Yasir are going to play together.
"And obviously you've got quite a big contingent over from LIV that are playing in this event."
McIlroy was referring to the 14 LIV players who are in the field this week.
Brooks Koepka has been given an invite by the tournament sponsor.
McIlroy's European Ryder Cup teammates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are also in the field.
The Dunhill is run by the powerful South African businessman Johann Rupert.
It is understood Rupert is a staunch advocate for peace in the elite men's game.
Rupert, who controls luxury goods firm Richemont, is Africa's richest person with a reported net worth of $1.9bn.
McIlroy said of the septuagenarian: "I think what Johann Rupert the man who runs this event is trying to do is just bring the golf world back together a little bit.
"If we need to be forced together in some way, he's trying to do that. I think it will be good. It's certainly a step in the right direction."
McIlroy was asked how much longer golf fans will have to wait for lightning to strike.
"Maybe it's going too slow for the people that follow golf. In the business world, deals of this size take time.
"You are talking about billions of dollars changing hands, different jurisdictions.
"I think we'll know a lot more by year's end. We're in October so hopefully [there's] three months to get something done."
