Rory McIlroy has indicated some degree of involvement in talks with the Saudi sponsors of LIV Golf. Although McIlroy had expressed strong criticism of LIV Golf in the past, stating in July of the previous year that he would prefer to quit playing rather than participate in the Saudi Arabian splinter circuit, he appears to be showing a change of heart toward the revenue being generated by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), that finances the LIV Golf League.
McIlroy, after completing the opening round at Wells Fargo, registering three strokes behind the leader and holding a joint-second position, disclosed to the media that he has been in communication with the recently established Transaction Committee, introduced by the PGA Tour in a news release on Thursday.
“I’ve been in touch with those guys, and we had an extensive Zoom meeting on Sunday that ran for an hour and a half. We scrutinised a hefty document, about 150 pages long, talking about the future model and everything,” McIlroy disclosed. While he is not a member of the board and doesn’t possess a voting right, he believes he is indirectly linked with the Transaction Committee, and that his involvement could be beneficial.
The PGA Tour had previously reported that the initial chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises had been elected, and that person was Joe Gorder, who serves as the chair and chief executive of Valero, an American energy firm. In addition to him, sports superstar Tiger Woods and Australian golfer Adam Scott are board members. The board indicated they have created special committees focusing on the organisation’s strategic priorities like the Transaction Subcommittee, which is directly interacting with the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The Strategic Sports Group has invested a staggering $1.5 billion (€1.39 billion), according to a press release. In another development, McIlroy made it clear that he had no intention of filling Webb Simpson’s vacancy on the PGA Tour policy board, as the opportunity for him to return brought up previous conflicts.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing Wells Fargo tournament at Quail Hollow, North Carolina, McIlroy is three strokes behind Xander Schauffele after the first round. Schauffele shot a seven-under-par 64, to secure the early top position in the high-stakes signature event held in Charlotte, North Carolina, worth $20 million.
McIlroy, a triple victor of this contest, concluded a fluctuating match with a bogey on the final hole, scoring a four-under 67 and ended in a tie for the second spot with Collin Morikawa and Alex Noren from Sweden.
McIlroy’s former teammate from their victorious stint in New Orleans, Shane Lowry, demonstrated a difficult start with an initial 75, while Séamus Power registered a one-over 71. The golfer from Waterford had a score of four-under with three holes remaining, but his performance on the 16th and 18th with double-bogeys and a bogey on the 17th undid the progress made.
The tournament at Quail Hollow Club involved 68 participants playing four rounds with no cut, marking the season’s sixth keynote event, set to prepare participants for the coming PGA Championship next week.
Schauffele commented, “Before a Major championship, it’s always beneficial to play on a championship course.”
McIlroy’s noteworthy moment was a flawlessly hit 50-foot eagle putt at the seventh, gaining him a solo lead at five under for the time being. The remainder of his match was a combination of bogeys and recovery birdies until he fell short of saving par from a seven feet distance at the 18th. The experienced golfer commented, “It felt satisfactory to play a consistent round of golf. Although I missed a couple of opportunities, I still have the next three days to build on what I’ve accomplished today”.