We can only wonder what Old Tom Morris would’ve made of the current, fractured state that men’s professional golf finds itself in.
To be honest, we probably would’ve got more sense out of the memorial bronze statue of this treasured auld yin that was unveiled on the Bow Butts in St Andrews yesterday than we’ve had out of the game’s power brokers over the last few months.
Here at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the annual big money birl around the Old Course, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie, there’s plenty of talk about some kind of harmonious deal finally being struck between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) that bankrolls the breakaway LIV series.
The fact that the PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, and the governor of the PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, are playing in the same group on the opening day of the Pro-Am contest has sparked fevered speculation about high-powered talks being held on the links.
Then again? “I don't think they are going to decide the future of golf in five hours around Carnoustie,” said the defending champion, Matt Fitzpatrick, of a proposed working alliance that first reared its head to the shock of the golfing world a year past June.
“I know Carnoustie is pretty bloody hard. There’s not much time for talking.”
Fitzpatrick’s musings certainly conjured up some delicious imagery. “So Yasir, do you think we can just put the tin lid on this deal and move on?” says Monahan in an imaginary conversation in my head.
“Will you pipe down Jay, can’t you see I’ve just topped it into the Barry bloomin’ Burn?”
The presence of these big hitters has certainly attracted attention and a few observations. Scottish tour pro Richie Ramsay, for instance, took to social media and gave his own thoughts on how the protracted discussions should be conducted and concluded.
“Lock them in the Jigger (Inn) and tell them to sort it out before they are allowed out,” Ramsay wrote.
Given the prices in that well-kent St Andrews watering hole, a lock-in there would probably amount to the same as a LIV Golf prize fund.
Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, is hoping the fresh, bracing autumnal air of the home of the game can clear some heads and bring clarity to an on-going saga that has wearied all and sundry.
The world No 3, who is partnering his dad, Gerry, will also play alongside Monahan and Al-Rumayyan over the course of the first 54-holes.
"There’s no better place than the home of golf to try and get everyone together and talking," McIlroy told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.
"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.
“I think what Johann Rupert, the man who runs this event (the Dunhill Links) 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."
McIlroy is hopeful that some kind of deal can be signed and sealed by the end of the year. These things, of course, tend to move slower than an actual round at the Dunhill Links.
For Billy Horschel, the new BMW PGA champion who will team-up with Monahan this week, it’s a case of the sooner the better.
Horschel was one of the more outspoken critics of LIV and the rebels who jumped on board the Saudi gravy train but, like everybody else, he just wants some closure.
“I could never have imagined that the divide that we've created in the game would create such a disinterest in the fans,” he said. “And that's really who has sort of been hurt by all this.
“I do believe that there's been goodwill on both sides to try to make a deal happen over the last 18 months. But it may not move as quickly as people want.
“I feel like all golf fans. As much as I play golf for a living, I'm a golf fan, I’m a golf fanatic. I do believe some coming together, some semblance of healing and showing what the game is going to be going forward is what we need for everyone involved. But especially for the fans.”
Old Tom probably would’ve agreed.
