Rory McIlroy: LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman doing Saudi PIF “disservice”

Rory McIlroy is still hoping for an agreement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

But he has no qualms about LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman.

“They’re sovereign wealth funds. They keep their money for decades and don’t want to worry about it,” McIlroy said of PIF.

“They want to invest in smart, safe businesses, and the PGA Tour is definitely one of them, especially for people who want to invest in sports in some way…I want to spend time with them. I’ve been spending a lot of time. [PIF Governor] Yasir [al-Rumayyan]. I think the people who represented him in LIV did a terrible thing to him, so Norman and them. ”

Mr Norman has championed the philosophy of LIV Golf for more than two years, praising its format, players and how the Saudi-backed circuit continues to “change the game”.

The two-time major champion is also proud of the fact that LIV Golf hosts events all over the world. This was his dream during his heyday in the 1990s, and it has since become a reality.

Ironically, McIlroy is also considering a world tour. The Northern Irishman would like to see league matches between the world’s top 75 and 80 players held around 15 times a year on multiple continents.

But despite PIF funding LIV Golf, McIlroy views the two differently.

“I look at these two organizations and actually think there is a very big disconnect between PIF and LIV,” McIlroy said.

“I think it’s like we have PIF here and LIV is doing its own thing here. So the closer we get, the more [al-Rumayyan], I think it would be really good if we could complete that investment with PIF. ”

Al Rumayan will meet with the PGA Tour Policy Committee in Ponta Vedra Beach, Fla., on Monday, the day after The Players Championship at the same location.

McIlroy was also asked about the talks and was pleased to see progress made.

McIlroy added: “I think it should have happened months ago, so I’m glad it happened.”

Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

“We hope this will move the conversation forward and bring us closer to a solution.”

One of the points of conflict between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour is team golf, which is a big part of the Saudi-backed circuit.

There are currently 13 teams of four players, and that team model is one of the reasons the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) does not award points for LIV events.

“They’re passionate about team golf and want it to survive in some form on the calendar,” McIlroy added.

“I don’t think it necessarily has to be like LIV. In my mind, I think we should stop playing individual golf and play team golf around that.”

But as negotiations between players and leaders began, McIlroy added one important element that golf needed.

“It’s going to take patience,” declared the four-time major champion.

“People have a contract with LIV until 2028 or 2029. I don’t know if they’ll see it through to the end, but LIV will be playing in its current form for the next few years until everything is figured out. “I’m going to do it.” I don’t think this will be solved overnight, but once we get the investment, we can work towards a compromise where we’re not going to make everyone happy, but at least get everyone to understand why we’re doing what we’re doing. You can get started. I was doing it. “

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.