Rory McIlroy has shared how he feels about Webb Simpson after it emerged that he wouldn’t be returning to the PGA Tour policy board.
The Northern Irishman was hopeful of speeding up negotiations between the PIF, PGA Tour and DP World Tour; no resolution is believed to be close.
Four-time major winner McIlroy previously served on the policy board from 2021 to November 2023. Simpson, who is currently holding the player director role, had reportedly offered his resignation and was eager for McIlroy to return in his place.
However, speaking to the media on Wednesday, the Northern Irishman revealed he would not be making a dramatic return.
Suggestions have been made that the policy board are ‘uncomfortable’ with the idea, something Simpson denies.
Rory McIlroy makes Webb Simpson claim after PGA Tour board twist
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It was a fairly eventful press conference for the Northern Irishman ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow. After initially discussing his game and the upcoming majors, questioning quickly turned towards off-the-course issues that are clouding the global game.
There’s a consensus that LIV Golf players will be allowed to play PGA Tour events in the near future. But, McIlroy has always been a firm believer in compensation being paid to those players who remained loyal to the PGA Tour.
However, it appears the four-time major champion won’t have any part in future discussions, with Simpson set to remain.
Speaking about the 2012 U.S. Open champion, McIlroy said [via Ten Golf]: “I am still optimistic [of an agreement]. I think Webb staying on is a really good thing. I think he’s got a balanced voice in all of this, and he sees the bigger picture, which is great. My fear was if Webb stepped off and it wasn’t me going in his place, then what could potentially happen? I am really happy that Webb has made that decision to stay on.”
New voices are required amid the PGA Tour and PIF standstill
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Nearly five months have passed since the December 31 deadline, which was meant to mark an agreement between the two tours and the PIF-backed venture.
But the wait goes on.
Greg Norman has recently admitted that he’s not overly bothered about any negotiations between LIV and the PGA Tour, which perhaps indicates where the issues are coming from.
Evidently, whoever is currently locked in talks isn’t fit for purpose. Fresh faces and ideas could go a long way in overcoming the current standstill.
The sooner, the better. The current off-the-course problems are becoming the game’s main talking point, which shouldn’t be the case.
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