Rory McIlroy’s latest interaction with LIV Golf chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan hints the sport’s bitter civil war may be nearing its end.
When the Saudi-backed venture was first announced, McIlroy declared it was ‘dead in the water’ before a ball had been hit.
McIlroy and Al-Rumayyan were engaged in friendly conversation at the Alfred Dunhill LinksGetty
That was despite the breakaway league poaching marquee names like Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau.
The Northern Irishman’s stance did not change when PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan revealed a framework agreement to merge with LIV Golf in June last year.
McIlroy, who had become somewhat of a poster boy for the PGA Tour thanks to his ardent criticism of LIV Golf, said he felt ‘like a sacrificial lamb’ and ‘still hated’ the breakaway venture.
However, McIlroy changed his tune earlier this year and conceded he was ‘maybe a little judgmental’ of the players who joined LIV thanks to the riches on offer.
It now appears McIlroy’s U-turn is complete, as pictures of the four-time major winner looking friendly with LIV chief Al-Rumayyan emerged.
Al-Rumayyan, the head of Saudi Arabia‘s Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls LIV Golf as well as Premier League club Newcastle, was all smiles and gave McIlroy a pat on the back.
McIlroy’s father, Gerry, also conversed with Al-Rummayan, who sported a Magpies quarter-zip training shirt.
McIlroy, Al-Rumayyan and Monahan are all competing in the pro-am field at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, which takes place across three iconic courses at St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Carnoustie.
In fact, Al-Rumayyan – who will play alongside LIV Golf’s Dean Burmester – was grouped with Monahan and Billy Horschel in the first round.
Al-Rumayyan is also grouped with McIlroy and his father, Gerry, in the third round.
McIlroy met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan in public for the first timeGetty
His father, Gerry, was also seen being friendly with Al-RumayyanGetty
Although there has been no major advancements regarding a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV, McIlroy was optimistic the setting for the event would help the two sides progress in talks.
“You know, there’s no better place than the home of golf to get everyone together and talking,” McIlroy told BBC Northern Ireland on Wednesday.
“It’s a great thing and a good sign that Jay and Yasir are playing together on Thursday. I think it is a step in the right direction. Time will tell if things go in the direction I want them to or a lot of people want them to.
“I think we all understand it is not easy and, you know, change for the most part in golf is resisted because it is such a traditional sport.
McIlroy was highly critical of LIV before they had even teed offGetty
“But I think at this point in time I think change is needed to sort of try and drive the game forward and hopefully we can get to that point.”
Although McIlroy will have a keen interest in whatever happens from any talks held between Monahan and Al-Rumayyan, he has his own issues to worry about.
By issues, we mean being upstaged by his old man at Carnoustie.
Gerry, who played from scratch in his pomp, produced a stunning shot during Thursday’s action when he holed out for par thanks to a chip from the rough.
Despite the heroics of the elder McIlroy, the father and son combo finished the first round tied for 125th with a score of -5.
As for Al Rumayyan and Burmester, they finished one stroke ahead at -6 and sit T109 on the leaderboard.
Monahan and Horschel fared better than their rivals with a first round score of -8 that has them T63.
Three pairings are tied for first on the leaderboard having all finished the first round -15.
Linkin Park bassist Dave Farrell and his partner Kiradech Aphibarnrat, venture capitalist Samir Kaul and Daniel Gale as well as insurance executive Tom Leonard and Andrew Wilson all have a share of the lead going into the second round.
