Rory McIlroy speaks out on Tiger Woods relationship after 'fall-out' over PGA Tour talks
Rory McIlroy has set the record straight on his relationship with Tiger Woods amid some difficult PGA Tour discussions.
Rory McIlroy has dismissed rumours of a 'fall-out' with Tiger Woods despite their contrasting views over the future of the PGA Tour, describing their relationship as "pretty complicated and pretty messy" but intact. The golfing stars, who share a long-standing friendship, have found themselves on opposing sides in recent negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabian backers of LIV Golf.
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McIlroy, once a critic of LIV Golf, has now become a key figure in bridging the divide, even joining the transaction subcommittee tasked with striking a deal. This move came after his application to re-join the PGA Tour's policy board was rejected, reportedly by Woods himself, leading to speculation that their relationship had 'soured'.
However, McIlroy has refuted these claims, stating: "I would say, I mean, I think friends can have disagreements or not see things I guess not not see eye to eye on things but have disagreements on things. I think that's fine. But no, I wouldn't say (that) we had a really good talk last Friday for 45 minutes, just about a lot of different things.
"No, there's no strain there. I think we might see the future of golf a little bit differently, but I don't think that should place any strain on a relationship or on a friendship."
McIlroy stepped down from the PGA Tour policy board in November due to frustrations over the tour's direction and the impact the role was having on his game and personal life.
Webb Simpson had proposed last month that he would step down from his role if McIlroy replaced him. However, this proposal was rejected by the other members, blocking the world No. 2's return.
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While speaking at the Wells Fargo Championship on Thursday, McIlroy stated: "I'm not on the board, but I'm in some way involved in that transaction committee. I don't have a vote so I don't have I guess a meaningful say in what happens in the future, but at least I feel like I can be helpful on that committee. And that was sort of a compromise for I guess not getting a board seat."
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan assured McIlroy that he would still have an influence on the sport's future, despite the rejection. "Today's news is in no way a commentary on Rory's important influence," Monahan said. "It's simply a matter of adherence to our governance process by which a tour player becomes a board member."
He added: "We are making progress in our negotiations with the PIF and are working as a collective, the player directors, our boards and tour management to remain open-minded to all avenues that advance the tour in the best interest of our players, our partners and, most importantly, our fans."
