Rory McIlroy is no different to all real followers of men’s pro golf in expressing the wish that the presence at this week’s annual Dunhill Links Championship of the two men centrally involved in talks aimed at ending the split in men’s professional golf is a “good sign” progress is being made.
This most important pro/amateur fourball since LIV Golf was founded in June 2022 will feature American Billy Horschel who will partner PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan while South African Dean Burmester is to partner Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the Governor of the Public Investment Fund that supports the PGA Tour’s rival LIV league.
The four are set to tee-off from the 10th at Carnooustie at 9am local time tomorrow (Thursday October 2nd).
IT’S A GOOD SIGN …
Declares @McIlroyRory @RMTracker with the surprise #dunhilllinks parnterning of Jay Monahan @PGATOUR & Saudi PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan
Read: https://t.co/1MUiVvAPzl with-monahan-al-rumayyan-teeing-up-in-dunhill/
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McIlroy and his father, Gerry will tee-up in the second group alongside Louis Oosthuizen and Rupert.
“There’s no better place than the home of golf to try and get everyone together and talking,” McIlroy told BBC Sport NI.
“I think it’s a great thing and good sign that Jay and Yasir are going to play together. And obviously you’ve got quite a big contingent over from LIV that are playing in this event”.
On Thursday, the McIlroys will play alongside Dunhill chief Johann Rupert, who has spoken of a “need to get peace” in the sport and invited Al-Rumayyan to play in this week’s event.
“I think what Johann Rupert the man who runs this event is trying to do is just bring the golf world back together a little bit,” added McIlroy.
“If we need to be forced together in some way, he’s trying to do that. I think it will be good. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.”
The PGA Tour commissioner and PIF boss were the architects of the widely-publicised framework agreement in June 2023 which ended litigation between the parties and was aimed at healing the fracture in the sport.
To date the negotiations which followed have not been concluded as both tours continue to operate in different orbits.
In the early days of LIV Golf, McIlroy was outspoken in his criticism of the rival tour but his stance has changed to him now being in favour of an accommodation being reached to heal the split in men’s golf.
“They both want the same thing too. It’s a matter of getting all the different constituents on board,” said McIlroy about the presence of Monahan and Rumayyan this week.
The four-time major winner added that change “for the most part in golf is resisted in golf because it’s such a traditional sport”.
“But I think at this point in time, change is needed to drive the game forward and hopefully we can get to that point.”
Asked about how quickly a resolution can be reached, McIlroy he hoped “before year’s end” although he added that it’s a “pretty complicated deal”.
“Maybe it’s going too slow for the people that follow golf. In the business world, deals of this size take time. You are talking about billions of dollars changing hands, different jurisdictions.
“I think we’ll know a lot more by year’s end. We’re in October so hopefully [there’s] three months to get something done.”
McIlroy’s father will celebrate his 65th birthday on Saturday by playing alongside his son at St Andrews as the duo aim for victory in the team event after several near misses.
“We’ve been close before to win the team event. Haven’t quite gotten over the line. It’s just lovely to spend the week with him and my mum being here as well.”
+ Article published online by BBC NI Sport