Rory McIlroy believes Donald Trump can make PGA x LIV merger a reality: “Great relationship with Saudi Arabia”

Rory McIlroy believes President-elect Donald Trump can positively influence a deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. McIlroy endorsed what Trump himself reportedly said, that he could get a deal done "in 15 minutes".

The Northern Irishman is at Yas Links in the UAE to play in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the penultimate event of the DP World Tour 2024 season. During his pre-event press conference, a reporter asked McIlroy for his opinion on the role Trump might play in the deal between the two rival tours.

Here is part of what McIlroy had to say (via Golf Monthly):

"He [Donald Trump] might be able to. 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 sees Donald Trump's good relationship with the Saudi Arabian authorities as a strength in his potential mediation in negotiations between the PGA Tour and the PIF. He said:

"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?"

He added:

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

Donald Trump won the US presidential election on Tuesday, November 5. Hours earlier, he had declared that he believed he could resolve the controversy between the PIF and the PGA Tour in "15 minutes". This is part of what he said (via NUCLR GOLF):

"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."

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Rory McIlroy on rumors of a final deal: "I haven't heard a thing"

During his press conference, Rory McIlroy also responded to questions about recent rumors that a final agreement between the PIF and the PGA Tour was close to being announced. The Northern Irishman stated that he "hadn't heard a thing". Here's what he had to say (via ASAP Sports):

"I know Jay [Monahan] was in Saudi Arabia last week at the FIII [Future Investment Initiative Institute] and was having some meetings. But no, I think I would have heard if there was [a final deal]."

McIlroy added:

"I know 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."

Last weekend, the British tabloid The Sun reported the alleged existence of a final agreement between the PGA Tour and the PIF. The article, which did not mention any sources, claimed that the Saudi fund would invest £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in the American circuit.

According to The Sun, PIF will receive two seats on the PGA Tour's Policy Board, including the position of chairman, as well as an 11% stake in the tour.

Three days later, Front Office Sports published a report in response to the British media outlet and claimed that the negotiations were not yet complete. The media quoted its own sources (unidentified) as saying that there were still details to be resolved before a final agreement could be reached.