Rory McILroy thinks that Donald Trump is “on the side of the PGA Tour” in his current dispute with Rival Tour Liv Golf having discussed the subject while playing golf with the American president before his inauguration.
Speaking before the Genesis Invitational in Torrey Pines, the Northern Irishman said that Trump had told him that he did not like the format of 54 holes of Liv.
Trump met the PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan and the director of players Adam Scott last week when the organization requests assistance in talks with the public investment fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), which finances Liv.
The PGA Tour was in prolonged negotiations with pif in an attempt to Heal the split in the world golf course.
“The president, he can do a lot,” said McILroy. “He has direct access to the boss of Yasir (Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Pif) (Mohammed Bin Salman). Few people have that.
“Few people can say:” I want you to do this business and by the way, I speak to your boss, I will tell him the same thing. “
“He (Trump) can be influential. I saw him when I played with Sheikh Hamdan by Abu Dhabi (day) the day (Trump) was elected in November. I don’t think people appreciate the respect he has (in the Middle East).
“Whenever he says something, they listen and I think it’s a great thing.”
McILroy said he had played golf with Trump a few weeks ago “and had” a good discussion “.
“I learned that he was not a fan of Liv format,” said McILroy, adding that he had put to the president that he had organized VIV events.
“He was like” yeah, but that doesn’t mean that I like it “, so I think it’s on the side of the tour,” added McILroy.
