It’s false actually” Jordan Spieth strongly disagrees with Rory McIlroy claims

Jordan Spieth has refuted claims that the PGA Tour-PIF (Public Investment Fund) negotiations are faltering, stating that “things are actually moving positively from both sides.”

Spieth, 30, is one of the six player directors on the PGA Tour policy board, alongside Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Peter Malnati, and Webb Simpson. Rory McIlroy, who was recently denied a return to the board, expressed last week that his confidence in reaching a deal was at an all-time low.

McIlroy, 35, made his comments at the US PGA Championship approximately 24 hours after news emerged that Jimmy Dunne was resigning from the PGA Tour’s policy board with immediate effect. Dunne had played a significant role in orchestrating the secretive framework agreement between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s PIF on June 6, 2023. In his resignation letter, Dunne claimed his position had become “utterly superfluous” after being sidelined from the discussions, as some players remained angry with him.

Despite McIlroy’s pessimism, Spieth is optimistic about the ongoing negotiations, ahead of this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge on the PGA Tour. Spieth assured that “there’s open dialog” between both parties and that “more and more information” will emerge in the coming months. According to the New York Times, the deal is still “very much alive,” with both parties having “exchanged terms” despite several setbacks, including missed deadlines and high-profile resignations.

Spieth told reporters on Wednesday: “I think the narrative that things are in a bad place and are moving slowly is untrue. I know it’s false, actually. Things are moving positively from both sides. I think we’ll ultimately end up in a place where professional golf is maybe the best that it’s ever been. Both sides believe that. Although there’s always frustrations in deal-making — and I’m not part of the deal-making — from what I know, it’s cordial, there’s open dialog, and it’s moving along at its own pace. Anything else that’s said about it, I know to be false. So I’m very optimistic. I think that’s starting to resonate among players as they’re able to get more information on the matter, and more information will continue to emerge over the coming months.”

Spieth is one of the tournament favorites at this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge, with Scottie Scheffler being the red-hot favorite. McIlroy, who recently filed for divorce, will next compete at the RBC Canadian Open next week.