Rory McIlroy makes eye-opening Donald Trump claim after playing golf with US president
Rory McIlroy has revealed that US President Donald Trump is backing the PGA Tour in its ongoing dispute with rival LIV Golf.
The Northern Irishman disclosed that he played golf with Trump “a few weeks ago” and had “a good discussion” about the state of professional golf.
“I learnt that he’s not a fan of the LIV format,” McIlroy said ahead of the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines.
When McIlroy questioned Trump about hosting LIV events at his courses, the former president responded: “Yeah, but it doesn’t mean that I like it.”
McIlroy believes Trump’s stance clearly indicates support for the PGA Tour, as negotiations continue between the organisation and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls LIV Golf.
Rory McIlroy previously said he would never play a round of golf with Donald Trump again
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Trump’s potential influence in resolving the golf dispute stems from his unique connections to Middle Eastern leaders.
The US president met with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott last week to discuss negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
McIlroy highlighted Trump’s relationship to key Saudi figures, stating: “He has direct access to Yasir [Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF]’s boss [Mohammed bin Salman]. Not many people have that.
“Not many people can say, ‘I want you to get this deal done and by the way, I’m speaking to your boss’.”
The Northern Irishman emphasised Trump’s standing in the region: “I don’t think people appreciate how much respect he has [in the Middle East]. Whenever he says something, they listen and I think that’s a big thing.”
Despite his previous opposition to LIV Golf, McIlroy now advocates for unity in professional golf.
“Whether you stayed on the PGA Tour or left, we have all benefited from this,” the world number three said.
Donald Trump might have a key part to play in golf’s civil war
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He pointed to increased prize money as evidence of LIV’s positive impact on the sport.
“We’re playing for a 20 million dollar prize fund this week [and] that would have never happened if LIV hadn’t come around,” McIlroy explained.
The Northern Irishman urged the golf community to move forward together.
“I think everyone’s just got to get over it and we all have to say ‘okay, this is the starting point and we move forward’. We don’t look to the past,” he said.
“Whatever’s happened has happened. How we all come back together and move forward, that’s the best thing for everyone.”
LIV Golf emerged as a rival tour in 2022, attracting several high-profile players from the PGA Tour with substantial signing fees and prize funds.
The Saudi-backed circuit has successfully recruited major champions and former PGA Tour stars.
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Rory McIlroy wants all of golf to come together again
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Notable players who have made the switch include Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka.
European Ryder Cup veterans Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia have also joined the breakaway tour.
The exodus of these prominent players has intensified the ongoing dispute between the two tours.
The PGA Tour remains in protracted negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in an attempt to heal the split in world golf.
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