The PGA Tour"s biggest defender, Rory McIlroy, who is a Masters title away from the career grand slam, is rumored to be joining LIV Golf.
City A.M, citing two sources, revealed a deal is close, claiming LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy $850m to join, plus around two percent equity in the competition.
City AM, London’s most read financial paper, is reporting Rory McIlroy could be close to joining LIV Golf for $850 million plus an ownership stake in the league. This report comes on the back of strong rumours among media members at the Masters.
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) April 15, 2024
Even though it is not verified yet, if the deal is finalized, this will be LIV Golf’s biggest signing so far, and it could be announced after the Masters, per the sources.
Andrew "Chubby" Chandler, the one-time agent of the four-time major winner shared on McIlroy moving to LIV Golf earlier this year, in February. He suggested his change in attitude might reflect a new openness to leaving the PGA Tour.
"If you were being cynical, you might say he’s going to sign for about £750m in a month’s time with LIV because he’s paving the way that LIV’s okay now, whereas it wasn’t. He doesn’t need £750m, but it’s odd what he’s done, and I’m sure it’s a possibility. If he does it or not, I don’t know, but if [Jon] Rahm can do it, most guys can do it."
Responding to Chandler’s comments, McIlroy had said,
"You never know, he might know a few things, who knows? Somewhere in the middle maybe, who knows?".
At the Augusta National, McIlroy had a surprise visit, as LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman was seen at the event, when asked if he knew Norman came by, he said, "I did not. Didn’t see him."
McIlroy had resigned from the PGA Tour board in November, and a December deadline for the proposed merger between PGA Tour and LIV Golf was extended amid antitrust concerns in the US.
The PGA Tour since the proposed merger has also accepted investment from the Strategic Sports Group, a consortium led by Liverpool FC owner John Henry.
As of now, The PGA Tour continues to bar LIV Golf players from its events, despite the ongoing talks between the two organizations.
