Rory McIlroy says whether he’s sending message to PGA Tour after LIV Golf match with Scottie Scheffler announced

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Talks between the Public Investment Fund and the PGA Tour continue to rumble on, and Rory McIlroy has appeared to take matters into his own hands.

McIlroy, along with Scottie Scheffler, will face off against LIV stars Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in an exhibition match at the start of December.

Fans are divided about the match, which marks the first LIV Golf vs PGA Tour event since the breakaway league’s inception in 2022.

The quartet’s match in Las Vegas could viewed as a clear message to the PIF and PGA Tour as talks continue in New York.

McIlroy desperately wants an agreement to end the current divide; the Northern Irishman, however, has insisted the upcoming match isn’t being used as a signal of intent from the players.

Rory McIlroy sheds light on upcoming LIV Golf showdown

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McIlroy is currently at Royal County Down, competing at this week’s Irish Open. The four-time major winner, however, couldn’t escape being questioned on his upcoming match against DeChambeau and Koepka.

“I wouldn’t say it’s meant to send a message,” McIlroy said on the matter. “It’s more we wanted to do something that, I guess, all golf fans could get excited about. You’ve got the best player in the world.

“You’ve got two guys in Bryson and Brooks that have won majors in the last two years. You’ve got me in there who — I haven’t done what those guys have done the last couple of years, but I’ve definitely been, I feel, one of the best players in the world.”

McIlroy added: “It’s a way to show golf fans in the world that this is what could happen or these are the possibilities going forward. I’ve been saying this for a long time. I think golf and golf fans get to see us together more than four times a year.”

LIV Golf v PGA Tour: The lowdown

The LIV Golf v PGA Tour match came out of the blue and could prove a masterstroke by those involved. The event will be shown live on TNT Sports, which has previously aired prime-time exhibition matches.

TNT was involved in ‘The Match’, which first aired in 2018. Phil Mickelson beat Tiger Woods six years ago and earned $9 million in the process.

McIlroy and Scheffler’s match against the LIV Golf stars will, however, be the start of a rebrand. The new series will launch under a new name.

Regarding the venue, Las Vegas has been confirmed, although a course has yet to be announced.