Rory McIlroy has bleak LIV Golf warning to PGA Tour chiefs after latest update

Rory McIlroy has urged for a swift resolution to the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, cautioning that the Saudi-backed group might explore other options if a deal isn’t finalized soon.

Following the first round of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, McIlroy voiced his growing frustration with the stalled discussions between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the financial force behind LIV Golf.

“Anyone who cares about golf, particularly about the PGA Tour, must be frustrated,” McIlroy began. “We’re not presenting the best possible product. This has dragged on for too long. Everyone is searching for a solution, but it’s been difficult to find one.”

McIlroy highlighted his point by recalling his painful loss at Pinehurst No. 2 earlier this summer, where he squandered a two-shot lead to eventual champion Bryson DeChambeau with just five holes remaining.

“I think back to the U.S. Open with Bryson, even though I was on the losing end. You only get those moments four times a year at most,” the Northern Irishman reflected. “Golf deserves more of those moments, not just a few times a year.”

McIlroy spoke candidly about the widening rift between LIV and the PGA Tour, warning of a potential major divide in the golfing world. “If an agreement isn’t reached soon, I believe PIF and the Saudis will have to consider alternative options,” McIlroy said, hinting at a significant step that could be on the horizon.

“I think that’s the next logical step if nothing gets done,” McIlroy added. He also highlighted the potential consequences of an unresolved standoff: “There are other tours they could invest in, but that would keep the game divided,” suggesting a future where golf remains fractured unless a resolution is found.

McIlroy’s stark warning comes on the heels of vague comments from PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan regarding the progress of the negotiations with LIV. While Monahan confirmed there is no immediate deadline for reaching an agreement, he expressed cautious optimism. “We’re in regular dialogue, and we have the right people at the table with the right mindset,” Monahan said on Wednesday. “This creates optimism about our future and our ability to come together.”

However, Monahan acknowledged the complexity of the discussions, noting that they are intricate and require patience. “These conversations are complex,” he said. “They’re going to take time. They have taken time, and they will continue to take time.”