Rory McIlroy points to Adam Scott’s board presence as to why LIV is onto something

For almost two years, Rory McIlroy has been the voice of the PGA Tour's battle with LIV golf. Things have changed recently, as the four-time major champion has recently had a change of heart and even said he was surprised the PGA Tour has been able to perform so well for so long.

On Wednesday, McIlroy went one step further at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

“I think Keith was telling you this yesterday: I think the opportunity here is world-class. I think it would be very naive not to think that,” McIlroy said.

“If you look at the event in Kapalua…it was one of the important signature events, and you could see the television ratings…I would say it was pretty overwhelming compared to some of the other events. Sho.”

A day earlier, DP World Tour CEO Keith Perry, who recently announced his resignation, pointed to international golf as key to reintegrating the sport.

“The PGA Tour is coming to the realization that 'globality' is the key to growth,” Perry said.

If LIV has achieved any success, it's that it has allowed fans around the world to witness some of the greatest players in person. The PGA Tour still holds nearly all of its annual events in the United States.

Golf's popularity has always been worldwide. So McIlroy singled out Adam Scott as the key to potentially ending the division that has taken over the sport.

“There are a lot of opportunities elsewhere, and I think that with Adam.” [Scott] “I think it's good to be on the board and maybe see the bigger picture of things,” McIlroy said.

Scott is Australian and is well aware of the sport's lack of popularity. He has a deep appreciation for international golf fans beyond the United States.

Photo by Alex Barstow/Getty Images

“I've always loved playing internationally… It was very important to play in America given how the professional game has been shaped over the past 20 years. But I think we can achieve a better balance going forward,” Scott said Wednesday.

For the first time in Tour history, players will have an equal voice on the policy committee with the addition of Tiger Woods in August. As negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) continue, Jay Monaghan and the PGA Tour can no longer keep players completely in the dark.

Scott's influence and experience could help bring the two together. The self-imposed deadline between the tour and PIF has been postponed. It is believed that a deal is close and could be completed within the next month or two.

The biggest question that remains is, if the deal goes through, what will happen to professional golf after that?

Kendall Capps is the senior editor of SB Nation's Playing Through.For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough On all major social media platforms.