Rory McIlroy expects 'billions of dollars changing hands' by the end of the year for PGA x LIV Golf deal

Rory McIlroy is all set to play a round of golf with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Saudi Arabia PIF governer Yasir Al-Rumayyan. They will all tee it up together at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, possibly signifying the progress of the LIV Golf x PGA Tour deal.

McIlroy is optimistic that this deal will make a lot of progress by the end of the year, even though it might seem very slow at the moment. He spoke about the complexity of the deal, saying that there will be billions of dollars changing hands.

Speaking via Sports Illustrated ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, McIlroy said:

“Maybe it’s going too slow for the people that follow golf. In the business world, deals of this size take time. You are talking about billions of dollars changing hands, different jurisdictions. I think we’ll know a lot more by year’s end. We’re in October so hopefully (there is) three months to get something done.”

Rory McIlroy also spoke about the importance of being paired with the heads of PGA Tour and PIF. McIlroy played an important role in being a catalyst between the two during a period when the merger was announced.

“I think what Johann Rupert, the man who runs this event, is trying to do is just bring the golf world back together a little bit. If we need to be forced together in some way, he’s trying to do that. I think it will be good. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.”

This comes as a positive sign, especially since there are several LIV Golfers in the field.

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Rory McIlroy speaks about what the pairing of Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan could mean

Rory McIlroy also spoke about the significance of both the heads playing together on the course that is considered to be the home of golf. McIlroy said that this could indicate good things for the future of the merger, alongside the 14 LIV Golf players playing this weekend.

Speaking via Golf Digest, McIlroy said:

“There’s no better place than the Home of Golf to get everyone together and talking. I think it’s a great thing and a good sign that Jay and Yasir are playing together. Obviously, we have quite a big contingent here from LIV playing in the event [14 total]."

Following is the list of LIV Golfers playing this weekend:

• Jon Rahm
• Tyrrell Hatton
• Brooks Koepka
• Patrick Reed
• David Puig
• Eugenio Chacarra
• Louis Oosthuizen
• Dean Burmester
• Caleb Surratt
• Talor Gooch
• Peter Uihlein
• Branden Grace
• Matt Jones
• Hudson Swafford

Matt Fitzpatrick is the defending champion for the tournament, which will boast a prize purse of $5 million this year.