Rory McIlroy to rejoin PGA Tour board, just five months after quitting

Rory McIlroy is expected to rejoin the PGA Tour Policy Board

McIlroy to return to PGA Tour board at a pivotal time for negotiations with LIV Golf that will shape the future of the sport.

Only five months ago, Rory McIlroy resigned from his position on the PGA Tour Policy Board, saying: “I just think I’ve got a lot going on in my life between my golf game, my family, and my growing investment portfolio, my involvement in TGL, and I just felt like something had to give.”

It was understandable that McIlroy, now 34 and without a Major victory since 2014, wanted to put himself first and concentrate on getting back to his best.

Since then, he’s been strongly linked with a move to LIV Golf, something he’s vehemently denied, insisting he’ll play the PGA Tour for the rest of his career.

But now McIlroy appears to be strengthening his commitment to the PGA Tour even further, agreeing to rejoin the PGA Tour Policy Board at a pivotal time for tour golf.

Negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) over the Framework Agreement announced last June are understood to be stalling, with talks ongoing to unify the game.

It is hoped that McIlroy’s involvement will help appease sponsors and encourage Yasir Al-Rumayyan – chairman of the PIF – to expedite an agreement between the two parties, who are still some way apart in their visions for the sport.

McIlroy told Sky Sports News: “I’d rather the men’s golf professional landscape survived this, so I’m happy to do my bit.”

McIlroy had previously said he felt like a “sacrificial lamb” when discovering the PGA Tour had agreed to partner with LIV, having been one of its staunchest critics.

McIlroy would replace Webb Simpson, who has reportedly offered his resignation and specifically requested the world number two take his place. The other current PGA Tour player directors on the policy board are Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods.

Sources close to the situation have told The Guardian that roles for McIlroy as a director both on the PGA Tour’s policy board and on PGA Tour Enterprises are subject to a vote on Wednesday.

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About the author

Rob McGarr – Contributing Editor

Rob has been a writer and editor for over 15 years, covering all manner of subjects for leading magazines and websites.

He has previously been Features Editor of Today’s Golfer magazine and Digital Editor of todays-golfer.com, and held roles at FHM, Men’s Running, Golf World, and MAN Magazine.

You can follow him on YouTube where – depending on what day of the week it is – he’ll either be trying his best to get his handicap down to scratch or shoving his clubs in a cupboard, never to be seen again.

Rob is a member at Royal North Devon, England’s oldest golf course, where he plays off a three-handicap.