Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have had a “falling out” over LIV Golf and the future of the PGA Tour. The pair, who have been close friends and business partners for years, appear to have differing views on the outlook of the professional game.
McIlroy disclosed on Wednesday that he had been unsuccessful in his attempt to rejoin the PGA Tour Policy Board. The Northern Irishman was previously a player director and board member until he stepped down in November due to frustrations with the tour’s direction and the impact of the role on his game and personal life.
However, he agreed to replace Webb Simpson last month, who wished to resign on the condition that McIlroy would take his place. The policy board is currently negotiating with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), which funds LIV Golf, about a potential merger deal.
Despite being a vocal critic of the breakaway tour, McIlroy has recently softened his stance and advocated for efforts to reunify the sport. However, according to Golf Digest, Woods has a different perspective. The 15-time major champion, who is one of six player directors on the tour and is central to discussions with PIF, was not supportive of McIlroy’s return to the policy board.
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Tensions have risen between the pair, with their once-warm relationship reportedly “soured” over differing visions for the sport’s future, leading to a “falling out of sorts”.
Speaking ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship on Wednesday, McIlroy said: “I think it got pretty complicated and pretty messy, and I think with the way it happened, I think it opened up some old wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before. There was a subset of people on the board that were maybe uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason.”
The ramifications of the rift between Woods and McIlroy could lead to awkward situations, especially given their joint venture as co-founders of TMRW Sports, which is set to introduce TGL, an innovative indoor golf league, in 2025 with televised matches kicking off on ESPN come January.
In a candid chat with GolfWeekly last year, McIlroy shared insights into his relationship with Woods, saying they communicate “Every other day almost”. He elaborated: “He’s a great resource, and if there’s anything I ever need to ask, we don’t live too far away from each other in Florida. He’s shown me some things that I don’t know if he’s shown anyone else but Charlie [Woods’ son], [Justin Thomas] as well.”
McIlroy went on to describe Woods as “He’s the biggest golf nerd I’ve ever come across. He knows everything about everything, he watches everything. He lets on that he doesn’t but he watches so much.” However, their bond is not what it once was; the civil war sparked by LIV Golf’s formation in 2022 continues to rumble on.
