Rory McIlroy says what’s happening in golf right now which is ‘not good for anyone’ on the PGA or LIV Tours

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Rory McIlroy’s voice is often heard when it comes to the ongoing negotiations between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the PGA Tour.

Once again, fresh talk of an agreement has emerged. Reports last month suggested the PIF was close to a $1bn investment in the PGA Tour. Yet, nothing has materialised.

The latest Bloomberg report claims the Saudis are close to acquiring 6% of PGA Tour Enterprises. However, what that means for any potential reunification of the game’s elite players remains to be seen.

The once-cynical McIlroy now appears more open to the presence of LIV Golf, and the Northern Irishman is set to feature in the PGA vs LIV ‘Showdown’ next week.

Rory McIlroy reacts to latest PIF-PGA Tour talks

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, McIlroy revealed the upcoming match is a chance for the players to take matters into their own hands.

“I don’t know if it was to spur things with everything that went on; it was really about us taking this into our own hands a little bit and do something outside of either tour to not only give back to the fans but to show them or at least let them know we’re trying,” McIlroy said [via Bunkered].

The Northern Irishman then revealed that players on both sides are eager for the current back-and-forth saga to end.

“The players want to play together more often. I feel like we’re all in this holding pattern because of the negotiations and the deal, and it’s not really good for anyone,” he added.

What could a PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger look like?

Formulating a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will be very challenging, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Perhaps, like the DP World Tour, those who decide to move to the PIF-backed league would be forced to pay a financial penalty to play certain PGA Tour events.

It’s unclear whether the likes of McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa will be open to playing in LIV events. What’s in it for them?

There is certainly a lot that needs to be ironed out, but as McIlroy says, the sooner clarity is revealed, the better for everyone involved in the professional game.