Rory McIlroy believes Donald Trump becoming US President for the second time could help “clear the way” for a peace deal in golf’s civil war.
The four-time major winner also said the potential involvement of Elon Musk, a supporter of Trump and the owner of social media platform X, could speed up the process.
Talks between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls LIV Golf, have been ongoing since the signing of a framework agreement in June 2023.
McIlroy said in September a 50-50 split between players on both sides and the US Department of Justice represented the biggest obstacles to a deal, with the DOJ having already forced a non-solicitation clause to be removed from the framework agreement.
However, the incoming President will be able to influence the priorities of the DOJ and Trump has a close relationship with Saudi Arabia and LIV Golf, with several of their 54-hole events being staged at Trump-owned courses.