McIlroy misses out on PGA Tour board return: ‘It got pretty messy’

Rory McIlroy recently made headlines by announcing that he won’t be returning to the PGA Tour’s policy board anytime soon. This decision comes after what he described as “pretty messy” discussions about rejoining the board, which resurfaced old issues and tensions.

McIlroy initially joined the Player Advisory Council in 2019 and later served on the PGA Tour’s policy board from 2021 until last November. However, citing concerns about the time and energy required for the role, he resigned.

Webb Simpson, a fellow player director, reportedly offered his resignation last month, suggesting McIlroy as his replacement. McIlroy expressed willingness to contribute to the negotiations aimed at unifying the men’s game. However, his reappointment was subject to a vote from board members, and McIlroy hinted that some were uneasy about his potential return.

In a statement ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy admitted that the discussions surrounding his reappointment reminded him why he stepped down in the first place. He described the process as complicated and messy, reopening old wounds and past grievances.

According to McIlroy, there was a subset of board members uncomfortable with his return for unspecified reasons. In light of this, he suggested that Simpson continue his term if some members were not comfortable with him rejoining.

McIlroy acknowledged Simpson’s willingness to continue in his role, indicating his support for Simpson’s decision. As for himself, McIlroy plans to focus on his own endeavors rather than pursuing a return to the policy board at this time.