Rory McIlroy WON’T be rejoining the PGA Tour board after all

Rory McIlroy won't be rejoining the PGA Tour Policy Board after all

Rory McIlroy’s in-and-out relationship with the PGA Tour Policy Board is not a good look for the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy’s relationship with the PGA Tour Policy Board is fast becoming a Ross & Rachel-style farce.

Only five months ago, 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 his golf game back to its best.

So it was surprising to hear that he was about to rejoin the PGA Tour Board, but that’s exactly what emerged a fortnight ago.

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

McIlroy was set to replace Webb Simpson, who had reportedly offered his resignation and specifically requested the world number two take his place.

But now, in another twist, McIlroy has revealed he won’t be rejoining the PGA Tour Policy Board after all.

“It got pretty complicated and pretty messy,” he says. “With the way it happened, I think it opened up some wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before. And I think there was a subset of people on the board that were uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason.

“I think the best course of action is, if there is some people on there who aren’t comfortable with coming back on, then I think Webb stays on and sees out his term. I think he’s got a place where he’s comfortable with doing that. I just keep doing what I’m doing.”

It was hoped that McIlroy’s involvement would 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.

“I put my hand up to help,” he added. “I wouldn’t say it was rejected. It was a complicated process to put me back on there so that’s all fine. No hard feelings and we’ll all move on.”

What happened?

It’s possible that Webb Simpson’s resignation coming with a stipulation that his seat be filled by McIlroy didn’t go down well.

“That’s just not how democracy works,” said PGA Tour player James Hahn. “It goes against all the principles of what makes a Tour-run organization. Imagine if, instead of Rory, Webb said he wanted Nate Lashley, who has been vocal against some of the Tour policy decisions. There would be an absolute uproar. People would be saying, ‘You can’t do that.’”

Alongside Simpson, the other current PGA Tour player directors on the policy board are Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods.

McIlroy’s relationship with Patrick Cantlay isn’t great, which may have been a key factor in him not being welcomed back to the PGA Tour Policy Board with open arms.

“My relationship with Cantlay is average at best,” McIlroy said in 2023. “We don’t have a ton in common and see the world quite differently.”

The relationship wasn’t improved by ‘Hatgate’ at the 2023 Ryder Cup, after which McIlroy called Cantlay a “d*ck”.

Speaking to Golfweek, an unnamed tournament director insists that McIlroy rejoining the Policy Board would have been key to preventing Cantlay “ruining the PGA Tour”.

“We need Rory back on the board,” the director said. “Had he stayed on, he could’ve neutered Cantlay. He’s the only one with the power to neuter Cantlay. We need Rory to try to keep Cantlay from ruining the Tour.”

Cantlay maintains a vehement anti-LIV approach, whereas McIlroy has softened his stance and now appears to believe some form of unison will benefit the game.

“We’ve got to get a deal done with the PIF,” added the tournament director. “LIV’s got to go away. If we don’t get a deal done, we’re all screwed in the end. We all know it. [Cantlay] is against it. Rory is for it.

“So, let’s get a deal done and get these [guys] put to bed. Do any of us want to work with the Saudis, no? But, on the other hand, none of us want to fight against them and their money for the rest of our careers, either.”

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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.