The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have been in discussions over a potential merger for the last 18 months.
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| AP |
Rory McIlroy has suggested that the backing of both Donald Trump and Elon Musk could aid the PGA Tour in finalising their official agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
The PGA Tour and PIF have been negotiating since last June to resolve a long-standing dispute with LIV Golf.
Earlier this week, Trump, a Republican candidate and avid golfer, claimed he could facilitate a peace deal between the two parties within 15 minutes.
"I think it'll come together. Yeah, I could certainly help, but I could probably get it done. I would say it would take me the better part of 15 minutes to get that deal done," Trump stated on the 'Let's Go!' podcast.
Following the confirmation of Trump's election victory on Wednesday morning, which sees him return to the Oval Office as President, PGA Tour supporter McIlroy was asked if he believes the 78-year-old can assist in finalising the deal.
The Northern Irishman suggested that Trump's relationship with Musk could be beneficial.
McIlroy said: "[Trump] might be able to [help sign off a merger deal]. 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.
"Yeah, I think from the outside looking in, it's probably a little less complicated than it actually is. But obviously, Trump has a 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."
After lengthy negotiations, The Sun revealed last weekend that an agreement appeared imminent, with the PIF ready to inject over $1billion into the PGA Tour.
McIlroy, ensnared at the heart of this ongoing drama and a member of the PGA Tour's transaction committee working to broker the deal, downplayed recent claims of a sealed pact as he said at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship: "It's the first that I've heard of it."
He acknowledged Jay Monahan's recent visit to Saudi Arabia for the FII and his scheduled briefing with the committee, which could possibly bring new developments: "I know Jay [Monahan] was in Saudi Arabia last week at the FII and was having some meetings.
"I think I would've heard if there was. He's briefing the transaction committee tonight, so maybe some news comes out of that. But as far as I'm aware, I haven't heard a thing."
- JOSHUA LEES
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