Ahead of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Rory McIlroy took part in the pre-tournament press conference along with his playing partner for this week, Shane Lowry . In this, they were asked about their thoughts regarding the PGA Tour equity and what numbers would validate their choice of staying loyal to the tour. This lead to him making a sarcastic remark.
As per reports from The Telegraph, the PGA Tour send an email to Tiger Woods on Wednesday informing him that he will earn around $100 million for staying loyal to the tour. Rory McIlroy, who has been a leading voice for the PGA Tour since the establishment of LIV Golf is set to land around $50 million from this.
When asked about this in the press conference, the four-time major champion claimed that one thing he learned in the past two years is that any amount of money is “never enough” in golf.
I think the one thing we've learned in golf over the last two years is there's never enough. Rory McIlroy said.
Rory was being sarcastic: pic.twitter.com/c9ZKOMuTtL
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) April 24, 2024
This answer from McIlroy comes a few days after he was rumored to be in conversations with LIV Golf over a $850 million deal. He and LIV CEO Greg Norman would both dismiss these talks as the “Great Shark” claimed “LIV never put an offer to him“.
A few days ago, a stunning report from The Guardian claimed that Rory McIlroy will be back on the PGA Tour policy board. The 34-year-old had resigned from his post as one of the six player-director from this tour body due to some personal reasons in November 2023. He though is now open to return to this position.
Speaking in the press conference, the North Irishman expressed that he thinks he can be “helpful“.
I think I can be helpful. I don't think there's been much progress made in the last eight months and I was hopeful that there would be. I think I could be helpful to the process, but only if people want me involved I guess. Rory McIlroy said.
Rory McIlroy explains his decision for potentially returning to the PGA Tour Policy Board. pic.twitter.com/uwXK1qf3s9
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) April 24, 2024
McIlroy’s return to the policy board would be a huge boost for the PGA Tour in their efforts to finalize a deal with the PIF. In the past few months, there have been some meetings between the tour representatives and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the chairman of the PIF, which according to Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan went smoothly.
On top of it, McIlroy’s soften stance towards the breakaway tour could be another factor that could help the PGA Tour. Only time will tell though how this move of him coming back to the tour policy board works out.
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