Rory McIlroy resigns from PGA policy board amid ongoing doubts over LIV deal

Rory McIlroy has stepped down from his influential role on the PGA Tour’s policy board, escalating uncertainty regarding the merger negotiations with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.

The world No 2 has written to Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour’s commissioner, detailing his departure from the panel that will essentially have the final say over a deal with the $600 billion (£481 billion) Public Investment Fund, or with any US private equity investors.

Hours after expressing his discontent with his role as a player director at the DP World Tour Championship, McIlroy stated in his resignation letter to Sawgrass HQ that he cited “professional and personal commitments” as reasons for his sudden departure.

Monahan, in an email to the PGA Tour membership, including Tiger Woods, thanked McIlroy for his efforts and respect for his decision to step down in order to focus on his game and family.

Left in the dark by Monahan

There’s little doubt that part of McIlroy’s reasoning stems from wanting to dedicate more time to getting back on the major trail after nine years. McIlroy has shared that his board duties often ate into his schedule.

Additionally, McIlroy felt abandoned by Monahan and the other Tour executives when they announced the “framework agreement” with LIV in June, referring to himself as “the sacrificial lamb”.

McIlroy did voice his support for a peaceful resolution, arguing that it would be better to have PIF’s billions onside. However, with no resolution in sight, there is speculation that the Tour will opt for home investment.

McIlroy out of the firing line

So, is McIlroy very wisely getting out of the firing line before the rancor and recrimination resume? Last week, he expressed his hopes – and concerns.

It will be intriguing to see how Woods, McIlroy’s great friend and ally, reacts to this news. It could be that McIlroy wants no part of that. Unarguably, from a golfing standpoint alone, his time would be better spent on the range beating balls instead of under the spotlight in the media center.

The remaining pros on the policy board will select a replacement for the remainder of McIlroy’s term until the end of next year.

The year’s final policy board meeting was held on Monday and in an earlier memo to players, Monahan described the negotiations with the PIF as “deliberate” and acknowledged that talks with US equity firms were underway, adding that a governance review of the Tour “remains a priority”.

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