Rory McIlroy believes the support of both Donald Trump and Elon Musk could help the PGA Tour officially finalize their framework agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
Having first announced plans to come to an agreement last June, the PGA Tour and PIF have been in talks to end the former’s lengthy dispute with LIV Golf. Earlier this week, Republican candidate Trump – who is also a keen golfer – claimed he could help sign off a peace deal between the two sides in 15 minutes.
“I think it’ll come together. Yeah, I could certainly help, but I could probably get it done. I would say it would take me the better part of 15 minutes to get that deal done,” Trump told the ‘Let’s Go!’ podcast.
- Rory McIlroy has 7 main rivals for huge DP World Tour title including 3 LIV Golf stars
- Tiger Woods reunites with ex-wife Elin Nordegren as PGA Tour return grows closer
On Wednesday morning, Trump’s election victory was confirmed, with the Republican returning to the Oval Office as President of the United States. With the election results rolling in, PGA Tour loyalist McIlroy was quizzed on whether he believes the 78-year-old can help get a deal over the line.
And the Northern Irishman believes the soon-to-be President’s relationship with Musk could be of use. “[Trump] might be able to [help sign off a merger deal]. He’s got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him. We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too.
“Yeah, I think from the outside looking in, it’s probably a little less complicated than it actually is. But obviously, Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?
Donald Trump is an avid golfer (
Getty Images)
“But I think as the President of the United States again, he’s probably got bigger things to focus on than golf.” After almost a year-and-a-half of negotiations, a report from The Sun last weekend claimed an agreement had finally been reached, with PIF set to pledge over $1 billion to the PGA Tour.
McIlroy has been at the center of the ongoing saga for some time and is currently a part of the PGA Tour’s transaction committee which is helping forge a deal. The four-time major champion however played down the recent report, admitting he had not heard anything about a concrete agreement.
“It’s the first that I’ve heard of it,” McIlroy said at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. “I know Jay [Monahan] was in Saudi Arabia last week at the FII and was having some meetings. I think I would’ve heard if there was. He’s briefing the transaction committee tonight, so maybe some news comes out of that. But as far as I’m aware, I haven’t heard a thing.”
Leave a Reply