“Rory McIlroy has seen that" - Sergio Garcia says PGA Tour star understands the importance of a PGA-PIF deal
Sergio Garcia opened up about the prolonged deal between the PGA Tour and PIF. The Spanish golfer is gearing up to host the third edition of Fore Kids ATX and PAR Tee in a few weeks. Ahead of that, in an interview with Golf Magic, he discussed the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF. Although the deal was initially announced in June 2023, it is still under discussion.
PGA Tour golfers, including Rory McIlroy, were initially against LIV Golf. However, over time, McIlroy has softened his stance on the breakaway series and is now in favor of a potential deal between the two circuits. Garcia was asked about McIlroy's opinion on the deal and LIV Golf in the interview.
Responding to the reporter, Garcia acknowledged that McIlroy understood the importance of the deal between the circuits. He said (via Golf Magic):
"I think at the end of the day it shows we're all very emotional and we try to defend our positions and stuff like that, but at the end of the day it shows we all want to go in the same direction and make golf better.
"That's the most important thing. Rory has seen that, he realises that trying to fight each other is not going to help anyone, and it's definitely not going to help the game. If you look at it with a good perspective, in a few years unfortunately we are going to be gone and the game is the only thing that is going to stay here," he added.
Notably, LIV Golf successfully concluded its third season in September. The Saudi-backed circuit's players are on a break and will return for the next season in 2025. Meanwhile, discussions between officials from both sides are going on.
Rory McIlroy suggests PGA-PIF deal could Be finalized by year-end
McIlroy also shared his thoughts about the PGA Tour and PIF deal ahead of last week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. In an interview with BBC, the Northern Irish golfer hinted that the deal could be finalized by the end of this year. He said (via CBS Sports):
"Maybe it's going too slow for the people that follow golf. In the business world, deals of this size take time. You are talking about billions of dollars changing hands, different jurisdictions. I think we'll know a lot more by year's end. We're in October, so hopefully [there's] three months to get something done."
At the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan played together in a pro-am team event. They even teed off in the same group during the tournament's first round.
Al-Rumayyan was joined by LIV golfer Dean Burmester, while Monahan played alongside PGA Tour player Billy Horschel. Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, was joined by his father Gerry and played with both Monahan and Al-Rumayyan at the event. The four-time Major winner played alongside the PIF governor in the third round, while McIlroy also paired with the PGA commissioner during the second round.