Atlanta, GA …

When Rory McIlroy was seen recently walking during his Dell Technologies Pro-Am outing in the company of PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan we now have an insight what they may have been chatting about.

Monahan’s father was among McIroy’s amateur partners that day at TPC Boston and Monahan’s son was naturally a very interested spectator.

For the most part of 17 holes, as the Commissioner left the group once they had putted out on 17, Monahan and McIlroy were in constant conversation.

“Piped Piper” Rory McIlroy leads the way to the 17th green at TPC Boston and with Jay Monahan’s father (arms outstretched) following behind and with Jay Monahan alongsie McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“I had breakfast with Jay during the Players Championship earlier this year and also met his wife, so we have had some great dialogue with Jay for a long time now, and including the Pro-Am at TPC Boston,” said McIlroy.

“But not just this year since Jay has become Commissioner but even before that as I had a great relationship with Tim Finchem when he was the Commissioner.

“Jay has helped us out a lot and he likes bouncing ideas off me.  Actually, he has a great dialogue with all the players including suggestions for different ideas in the future and getting the players feedback.

“Jay does have a different style of management to his predecessor which you would expect but he gets along with everyone and he is great with the sponsors, and I know he just loved walking around with us in the Pro-Am.

“He is the real deal!”

Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan says his goodbyes to McIlroy at the back of the 17th hole during the Pro-Am at TPC Boston. (Photo – www.golbytourmiss.com)

So, it should not come as a surprise when McIlroy, and the PGA Tour’s ‘glamour golfer’ in this now Tiger Woods post era, believes “discussions have taken place” about the PGA Tour merging with the European Tour and that it is “counter-productive” for the Surrey-based Tour to compete as they currently do on the world stage.

“The World Tour .. it’s going to happen one day, and I think it has to,” said McIlroy to nolayingup.

“To have all these tours competing against each other, and having to change dates, it’s counter-productive. I think everyone has to come together.

“The easy thing would be for the PGA Tour to buy the European Tour, and take it from there. They could still run the European events, and we’ll have say 12 big events a year, outside the majors, a bit like they do in tennis.

“I don’t see any other way. I know discussions have taken place, so maybe one day.”