McIlroy wants resolution to golf's divide by end of 2024
Talks to heal the fractures in the game have been ongoing since June 2023
Rory McIlroy hopes the division in golf will be resolved by the end of the year.
The Northern Irishman is currently competing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, DP World Tour's Guy Kinnings, and Saudi Public Investment Fund’s Yasir Al-Rumayyan were seen together in public for the first time.
The main figures from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund are leading discussions behind the scenes in efforts to unify the sport once more.
Although it's unclear what any potential agreement might entail, McIlroy believes the sport is in dire need of change, even though golf has traditionally resisted it.
"(Change) for the most part in golf is resisted because it's such a traditional sport".
"But I think at this point in time, change is needed to drive the game forward and hopefully we can get to that point."
Earlier this week, 2023 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner Matt Fitzpatrick expressed his frustration to the media, saying, "I think in terms of bringing the game together this week, I'm past the point of caring. I just don't care."
This sentiment has become increasingly common among players and fans since the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced a framework agreement well over a year ago.
The announcement was followed by a mutually agreed end to all pending litigation between the participating parties, while the three organisations ensured they would work “cooperatively” and in “good faith” to establish a fair and objective process for any players who desire to re-apply for membership with the PGA TOUR or the DP World Tour.
LIV golfers still remain suspended from the PGA Tour after an agreement wasn’t reached by the original deadline of December 31 2023.
McIlory said he hoped a resolution could be reached before “year’s end" although he added that it's a "pretty complicated deal".
"Maybe it’s going too slow for the people that follow golf. In the business world, deals of this size take time. You are talking about billions of dollars changing hands, different jurisdictions.
"I think we’ll know a lot more by year’s end. We’re in October so hopefully [there's] three months to get something done."