Rory McIlroy reacts to Donald Trump becoming US President and predicts if he can sort out PGA Tour merger

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Rory McIlroy has been a leading advocate for a PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger for many months now, and it looks like his wishes are coming true.

McIlroy hasn’t heard an update on a merger, although it has been reported that the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are close to announcing a deal.

The merger would involve Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which funds LIV Golf, paying $1billion to the PGA Tour.

It would give the breakaway tour an 11% stake in the product, with their tournaments then set to fall under the traditional tour banner.

Furthermore, LIV Golf would get two sets on the PGA Tour board, with McIlroy and Tiger Woods believed to have helped force through the deal.

Rory McIlroy predicts if Donald Trump can sort a PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger

McIlroy is currently preparing for the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on the DP World Tour, with his opening press conference dominated by questions about a potential merger.

Asked about incoming US President Donald Trump’s comments about him agreeing a deal in 15 minutes, McIlroy said: “He might be able to. He’s got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him. We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too.

READ MORE: Who is Rory McIlroy? A closer look at one of the greatest golfers of all time

“Yeah, I think from the outside looking in, it’s probably a little less complicated than it actually is. But obviously Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?

“But I think as the President of the United States again, he’s probably got bigger things to focus on than golf.”

What is Rory McIlroy’s Race to Dubai record?

It is truly a remarkable set of circumstances that have led to four-time major champion McIlroy being asked about Trump’s stance on the current stalemate in golf.

The latter has just closed in on a return to the US Presidency, with the former aiming to lift another Race to Dubai title.

READ MORE: Peter Finch tells the PGA Tour the change which should happen if LIV Golf merger goes through

McIlroy is aiming to win the competition for the third successive year, and a sixth time overall in his fantastic career.

His pursuit begins in Abu Dhabi this week, with the Northern Irishman then looking to finish strong in Dubai next week.

Before the Race to Dubai was launched in 2009, Colin Montgomerie won the competition – known as the Order of Merit – a record eight times.