Could Donald Trump’s return to the White House in Washington D.C. pave the way for a unification of men’s professional golf? Rory McIlroy thinks so.
McIlroy has previously stated the U.S. Department of Justice could be an obstacle to the PGA Tour’s talks with the PIF. With Trump’s imminent return to office, that may not be the case.
“Given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think it clears the way a little bit,” McIlroy said Wednesday while speaking to reporters ahead of the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. “So we’ll see.”
Reports surfaced over the weekend about a deal being agreed to between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, though McIlroy said he was unaware of anything being done. However, with the United States presidential election in the rearview mirror, McIlroy believes the civil war in men’s professional golf could be near its end.
McIlroy was asked about Trump’s comments recently from a podcast where the president-elect said he could strike a deal between the sides in 15 minutes and that all of the best players need to be together.
“He 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,” McIlroy stated.
“I think from the outside looking in, it’s probably a little less complicated than it actually is. But obviously Trump has great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows? But I think as the President of the United States again, he’s probably got bigger things to focus on than golf.”
McIlroy also noted PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was in Saudi Arabia last week meeting with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and Monahan is briefing the Tour’s transaction committee Wednesday night.
“So maybe some news comes out of that.”
With a top-two finish this week, McIlroy can claim the DP World Tour’s season-long race for the sixth time in his career, which would tie Seve Ballesteros for the second most all-time.
