Rory McIlroy opens up on LIV Golf talks after 'hour and a half Zoom call'

Rory McIlroy has admitted to being "some way" involved in discussions with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf, despite previously being a staunch critic of the breakaway league. The golf star, who had previously stated he would rather retire than join LIV Golf, has indicated he has softened his position regarding the investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is behind the LIV Golf League.

Following his first round at Wells Fargo where he finished three shots behind the leader, McIlroy shared with journalists that he's been in talks with the PGA Tour's newly established Transaction Committee, as mentioned in their recent press release. "I've already had calls with that group, I had a really good hour and a half Zoom with those guys on Sunday, we went through a 150-page doc about the future product model and everything," McIlroy disclosed.

"Yeah, I'm not on the board, but I'm in some way involved in that Transaction Committee. I don't have a vote so I don't, you know, I don't have I guess a meaningful say in what happens in the future. But at least I can, I feel like I can be helpful on that committee, and that was sort of a compromise for I guess not getting a board seat."

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The PGA Tour has announced that American energy company Valero's chair and CEO, Joe Gorder, has been elected as the first chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises. The board includes Australian golf pro Adam Scott and Tiger Woods.

A statement said: "The board has established specialised committees dedicated to the organisation's strategic priorities. This includes the formation of a Transaction Subcommittee, which has been engaging directly in negotiations with the Public Investment Fund (PIF)."

Investments amounting to 1.5 billion dollars (£1.19 billion) have been made by Strategic Sports Group. This news follows McIlroy's decision not to replace Webb Simpson on the PGA Tour policy board, due to the thought of rejoining reopening "old wounds".

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