PGA Tour superstar Rory McIlroy hinted that golf’s civil war is no closer to being resolved after the latest round of talks.
While the Holywood hotshot is no longer directly involved in talks, he did speak about the issue when asked ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Negotiations between LIV and PGA Tour have been ongoing since the signing of a framework agreement in June 2023 but they’ve yet to agree on deal.
Just two weeks ago, the Down native revealed that he played a round of golf with President Donald Trump in January.
The newly appointed American President was directly involved in talks between the PGA Tour and PIF-backed rebel LIV Golf league after the round with McIlroy.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan met with Trump as they hoped to strike a deal between the US-based circuit, the DP World Tour, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The PGA Tour said on it had a “constructive working session” at the White House with President Donald Trump and LIV Golf Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan on efforts to resolve the gap that exists between the two professional golf bodies.
But the Northern Irishman didn’t seem over confident as he weighed-in on any reunification between the tours.
Speaking with the media ahead of the API at Bay Hill,, he said: “It takes two to tango. If one part is willing and ready, and the other isn’t… it sort of makes it tough.
The world number three also revealed that he’d like to see players from both tours get together more than four time a year at the majors.
But admitted he doesn’t give it much thought since after resigning from the PGA Tour’s Policy Board last year.
Thirty-fice-year-old McIlroy, who has made a stunning U-turn regarding LIV Golf over the last year, had previously been one of its most outspoken critics.
But the four-time major winner casually suggested a potential exemption categories for LIV Golf stars to play in PGA Tour tournaments before saying he doesn’t feel a deal has ever been close between the two parties.
He added: “I gave a lot of thought to it a few years ago – but less now.
“You could create exemption categories that could capture who you want to capture but – major winners in the last three years, plus past champions – I don’t know… yeah, again, not my department.
“I think it it’s ever felt that close: but I don’t think it’s any closer.”
