Rory McIlroy shares a laugh with PIF governor hours after his 'billions of dollars’ comment

Rory McIlroy and PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan enjoyed some good moments together while playing at the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The DP World Tour event features a stellar field of top-ranked golfers, including McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Tyrrell Hatton.

The players are joined by renowned personalities and others playing alongside them. The field includes Al-Rumayyan, playing alongside LIV golfer Dean Burmester, while McIlroy is joined by his father, Gerry.

The tournament is being held across three iconic golf courses: the Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns Golf Links. For the opening round, McIlroy and Burmester, with their partners, teed off at Carnoustie Golf Course. The four-time Major winner shared a light moment with the PIF Governor. Nuclr Golf posted pictures of the two on X, writing:

"#PHOTOS — Rory McIlroy & Yasir Al-Rumayyan share a laugh on the range at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship @TrackingRory."

Just before the event, Rory McIlroy opened up about the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's major stakeholder PIF's prospective deal. He said (via CBS Sports):

"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's] three months to get something done."

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan is also playing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, joining Billy Horschel on the field.

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Rory McIlroy to tee off with the PIF Governor at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

For the third round of the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Saturday, October 5, Rory McIlroy will tee off in a group with Yasir Al-Rumayyan. The Northern Irish golfer played the first round in a group with Louis Oosthuizen and his playing partner Johann Rupert, and the second round on Friday, October 4, with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Billy Horschel.

Al-Rumayyan and Monahan played in the same group for the first round on Thursday, October 3. McIlroy opened up about Monahan and Al Rumayyan playing at the DP World Tour event, saying (via CBS Sports):

"I think it's a great thing and good sign that Jay and Yasir are going to play together. And obviously you've got quite a big contingent over from LIV that are playing in this event."

McIlroy struggled in the opening round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He shot a round of 3-under 69. He also started slowly in his second round and had played seven holes at the time of writing. So far, he has made one birdie and one bogey in the second round, making him tied for 91st place. The event will conclude on Sunday, October 6.