Rory McIlroy has insisted his form has improved since he took a step back from discussions around a link-up between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour last September. The Northern Irishman has excelled in the sport this year and clinched the fifth Major of his career at the Masters in April after winning the Players Championship for the second time a month earlier.
During his time on the PGA Tour’s Policy Board, McIlroy was central to discussions around whether LIV Golf, who are backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the PGA Tour will form a partnership. He stepped down from the Board 18 months ago and has kept himself away from the talks in recent months. And he is currently playing some of the best golf of his career.
McIlroy, who celebrated his 36th birthday last weekend, has been in action at the Truist Championship over the last couple of days and went into the penultimate day tied in fourth place after carding seven under par during his opening two rounds.
And he was asked if there was a correlation between his form and his decision to step back from his PGA Tour duties and LIV debate.
“I think so,” replied the blockbuster star. “Certainly not involved too much in the politics of everything.
“And even just not being involved with… even with being on the Board with this Tour and even talking about changes to the Tour Championship and all that.”
He added: “I have no idea what’s going on and at this point I don’t care. I want to play golf and the reason I got into this game was to shoot scores and try to play the best golf possible and not really be concerned about how the Tour’s run or the business of the Tour.
“It was good to do it, it was a great experience, but I’m happy with where I am right now.”
Back in February, US president Donald Trump held a meeting with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and PGA Tour officials including Jay Monahan, Tiger Woods and Adam Scott as they attempted to identify ways to reunify men’s professional golf.
But following that meeting, McIlroy said: “I don’t think it’s ever felt that close, but I don’t, it doesn’t feel like it’s any closer.”
He went on to explain: “Look, I think it takes two to tango. So if one party is willing and ready and the other isn’t, it sort of makes it tough.”
