Rory McIlroy: World number two says deal between PGA Tour and LIV Golf not ‘any closer’

Rory McIlroy says he does not think a deal to unite golf is “any closer” despite talks between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and United States president Donald Trump.

The sport has been fractured since Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf launched in 2022 and recruited some of the sport’s leading players from the PGA Tour, including Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.

Discussions over a possible merger started in June 2023 and, in February, the PGA Tour held “constructive” talks with LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and president Trump at the White House.

At the Genesis Open, 15-time major winner Tiger Woods said he thought the divide would “heal quickly” following the talks.

However, McIlroy doesn’t believe the PGA Tour “needs” a deal to be struck, and said any plans to unify the sport are still far away from coming to fruition.

“I don’t think it’s ever felt that close but it doesn’t feel like it’s any closer,” said Northern Ireland’s McIlroy.

“I think the narrative around golf would welcome a deal in terms of having the best players together again.

“But I don’t think the PGA Tour needs a deal.”