Rory McIlroy is cautiously optimistic about former President Donald Trump’s role in resolving the PGA Tour-LIV Golf dispute. Trump says he can settle the PGA-LIV deal in “15 minutes” and may have Musk’s support.
After a year of negotiations, the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and DP World Tour are still trying to merge. A complex negotiation has involved the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which supports LIV Golf.
Trump, an avid golfer and LIV host, thinks his relationships with Saudi officials could speed up an agreement. He suggested a single tour to allow top golfers to compete in a recent interview.
McIlroy, competing in the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi, acknowledged Trump’s connections but thinks a solution is hard. “A little less complicated than it is,” McIlroy said. Musk, “the smartest man in the world,” may help bridge the gap.
McIlroy said he thinks Trump has more important issues than golf as president. “There’s bigger things to focus on,” he said. The PGA Tour’s transaction committee has been heavily involved in merger talks, and the Northern Irish golfer wants to resolve the dispute.
Some think Musk’s quick solutions and Trump’s golf experience could help the PGA and LIV resolve their dispute.