"He's got Elon Musk beside him"- Rory McIlroy places faith in Donald Trump to clear way for PGA x LIV deal

Rory McIlroy is currently in the field to compete in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the DP World Tour. During the pre-round press conference, the Northern Irish golfer showcased faith in Donald Trump, who is all set to become the 47th President of the United States to clear the way for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger.

The PGA Tour and the PIF (which funds LIV Golf) had decided to end the war and merge for the betterment of the game. However, the deal is yet to be cleared, and there's no concrete evidence of any progress either.

"Given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think that clears the way a little bit. So we’ll see," McIlroy said.

McIlroy believes Trump could help clear the way for the peace deal in golf when asked about Trump's claim of securing the deal in 15 minutes. The 35-year-old golfer also talked about the potential involvement of Elon Musk, a prominent Trump supporter and the owner of X.

Donald Trump at the LIV Golf Miami - Final Round - Source: Imagn

"He might be able to," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "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."

Rory McIlroy also talked about Trump's friendly relationship with Saudi Arabia and his love for golf.

"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?"

However, he is not overexcited or enthusiastic at the same time as he believes Donald Trump, as the President of the United States, has bigger things to focus on than golf.

"But I think as the President of the United States again, he’s probably got bigger things to focus on than golf."

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Rory McIlroy clears the air and reveals no deal has been finalized yet

Rory McIlroy clears the air about the PGA Tour and PIF merger. Source: Imagn

A few reports were flying around claiming the deal between the PGA Tour and PIF has been cleared, with Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods playing a vital role. However, during the pre-round press conference of the 2024 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, McIlroy said he had heard about it for the first time, and no deal had been arrived at yet.

“It’s the first that I’ve heard of it,” McIlroy said of the alleged deal. “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."

The Northern Irish golfer said that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is briefing the transaction committee tonight and that some news might come from there, but he hasn't heard any update yet.