An infighting over how to make the most money on the PGA Tour is causing tensions among the sport’s biggest players.
Rory McIlroy’s bid to rejoin the Tour’s Player Advisory Committee was met with resistance from some current members. Including Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Patrick CantlayGolf Digest reported.
McIlroy confirmed Wednesday ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club that he will not return to the board after resigning in November.
Golf Digest reports that while Woods and McIlroy’s relationship remains amicable, it has “deteriorated over the past six months” and that the two have “fallen out” due to differences of opinion about the best path forward for the sport. It was reported that it happened.
Some players on the board balked at the idea of veteran Webb Simpson giving up his seat to McIlroy directly.
“I think it just… became quite complicated and quite messy. And given the way it happened, I think it opened up old wounds and scar tissue from what happened before,” McIlroy said. he said on Wednesday.
“I think there were some people on the board who were probably uncomfortable with me coming back for whatever reason…I think Webb is just going to stay on and see out the term, and he’s comfortable… I think I’ve gotten to a place where I can work.’ So I just keep doing what I’m doing. So, yeah, I put my hand up and helped, and it was – I wouldn’t say it was rejected, but it was a complicated process to go through to get me back there. It’s okay, there are no hard feelings, and we all move on. ”
Following the news, The Associated Press reported that the only player to negotiate with PIF, the financial arm of the Saudi government, as part of a transaction subcommittee that also includes PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and board chairman Joe Gorder. reported that it would be Woods. , John W. Henry of Fenway Sports Group and former tour player Joe Ogilvie, who was appointed director liaison in March.
The problem began nearly two years ago when players began defecting to the PIF-funded Rebel LIV Golf League.
Last June, the PGA and PIF agreed to a shocking framework agreement ostensibly to merge PGA and LIV.
Eleven months later, details of the progress made remain unclear.
Meanwhile, the number of players joining LIV is only increasing.
The catalyst was Jon Rahm’s shocking decision in December to reschedule his tour for a reported $450 million.
Spieth, who replaced McIlroy on the board, questioned in January whether the PGA needed a PIF at all.
Spieth’s comments came on the heels of a $1.5 billion cash infusion into PGA Tour Enterprises from a group of prominent investors led by Fenway Sports and including Mets owner Steve Cohen.
This left McIlroy in a group text message with Spieth and other players.
Some of that $1.5 billion went to PGA players as royalty compensation.
According to the Telegraph, Woods received $100 million, McIlroy received $50 million and Spieth received $30 million.
As players continue to vie for prize money, the match remains divided with some of the sport’s best players playing in LIV, which has received little attention from viewers.
At the same time, the PGA Tour’s ratings also slumped.
