McIlroy involved as PGA/LIV peace talks ‘accelerate’

The PGA Tour has reported “progress” following a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) as talks over a deal “continue to accelerate”.

Rory McIlroy was involved in discussions again, albeit remotely as he competes at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio.

An initial “framework agreement” between the PIF – which bankrolls the breakaway LIV Golf league – the PGA Tour and DP World Tour was announced on 6 June last year and had a deadline of 31 December, but that was subsequently extended.

During February, the US-based PGA Tour circuit secured an investment deal with Strategic Sports Group (SSG), which would see its players benefit from equity of more than £1.1bn and also allows for a future “co-investment” from the PIF.

The latest in-person meeting, involving PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and his team with the PGA Tour subcommittee, took place in New York on Friday.

McIlroy, who had resigned from the PGA Tour board last November, joined remotely.

The PGA Tour said “talks between the two sides continue to accelerate”, without giving any further details.

“Representatives from the PGA Tour Enterprises Transaction Subcommittee and the PIF have been meeting multiple times weekly to work through potential deal terms and come to a shared vision on the future of professional golf,” read a joint statement from the seven-person PGA Tour subcommittee, which also includes player representatives Tiger Woods and Adam Scott as well as McIlroy.

“We remain committed to these negotiations, which require working through complex considerations to best position golf for global growth.

“We want to get this right, and we are approaching discussions with careful consideration for our players, our fans, our partners and the game’s future.”