18 C
Manchester
Friday, September 19, 2025
Other SportsMcIlroy tells feuding PGA and LIV tours to learn from Northern Ireland...

McIlroy tells feuding PGA and LIV tours to learn from Northern Ireland peace process

Rory McIlroy has called on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to take inspiration from the Northern Ireland peace process and reach a compromise which allows the sport to thrive again.

A bitter dispute has split the world of golf in two since LIV Golf held its first events in 2022, using the financial power of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to prise big names away from the PGA.

Last June, the two parties agreed to pursue a merger with a deadline of December 31 for a final agreement to be struck, but that date came and went with no further announcement.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Manchester United: Getafe hope to keep Greenwood
Formula One: Lando Norris says maiden win ‘a long time coming’
IPL 2024: Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bengaluru – preview, free bets and offers

The LIV circuit has continued to recruit leading players in recent months, with December’s swoop for two-time major champion Jon Rahm perhaps the biggest coup yet for the breakaway tour.

McIlroy – who has been a staunch critic of LIV – has called on the two parties to use the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which brought peace to his native Northern Ireland, as inspiration.

“I liken it to when Northern Ireland went through the peace process in the ’90s and the Good Friday Agreement. Neither side was happy,” McIlroy said ahead of this week’s Wells Fargo Championship.

“Catholics weren’t happy, Protestants weren’t happy, but it brought peace and then you just sort of learn to live with whatever has been negotiated, right?

“That was in 1998, and 20, 25, 30 years ahead, my generation doesn’t know any different. It’s just this is what it’s always been like, and we’ve never known anything but peace.

“That’s my way of trying to think about it and trying to make both sides see that there could be a compromise here.

“It’s probably not going to feel great for either side, but if it’s a place where the game of golf starts to thrive again and we can all get back together, then I think that’s ultimately a really good thing.”

While McIlroy is keen for a resolution to be found, he will not return to the PGA Tour policy board – which he left in November 2023 – in a bid to directly influence the talks.

“It just got pretty complicated and pretty messy,” McIlroy said of his time on the board. “With the way it happened, it opened up some wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before.

“I think there was a subset of people on the board who were uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.”

Harry Carr
Harry Carr
Harry is a freelance sports journalist with experience of working for the Racing Post, Stats Perform, Opta Analyst and more, covering major events across all sports but holding a particular love for the beautiful game.
Latest

Tees Valley International Film Festival to Premiere “3 Peaks 3 Pots” This November

The eagerly awaited documentary 3 Peaks 3 Pots will have its first screening on 6 November 2025 at ARC Stockton, marking one of the...

The green fleet: Sourcing affordable EVs at car auctions

The used electric vehicle market is experiencing unprecedented growth across the UK, with government data showing that zero-emission vehicles accounted for 20% of all new car...

Timberwise Boss Reveals Five Costly Issues Buyers of Older Homes Should Know

A leading voice in property care has revealed the five most widespread and expensive issues that often arise when people purchase older homes. George Edwards,...

K2L Marketing Strengthens Global Footprint with New Offices in Dubai and Illinois

Manchester-based performance marketing agency K2L has announced the opening of two new international offices, one in Dubai and the other in Illinois, USA. This...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

K2L Marketing Strengthens Global Footprint with New Offices in Dubai and Illinois

Manchester-based performance marketing agency K2L has announced the opening of two new international offices, one in Dubai and the other in Illinois, USA. This...

Appy Pie Unveils Snappy 2.5: A Faster, Smarter Website Builder Designed Around User Feedback

Appy Pie has introduced Snappy 2.5, the latest upgrade to its website builder, developed in direct response to long-standing user feedback. This release focuses...

Choosing reliable vehicle financing for families in Manchester

When it comes to securing vehicle financing for your family, reliability is essential. Families need to consider the long-term impact of their financial decisions,...

FREESMO Leads the Way with Smarter Smoke-Free Choices Through Trusted Questionnaire

As the smoke-free sector continues to grow and diversify, FREESMO is highlighting the importance of its Smoke-Free Questionnaire – a tried and tested tool...

More News

F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025: Report, result, highlights as Norris savours ‘stressful’ win

Lando Norris praised McLaren's "amazing car" after overcoming unpredictable conditions to beat reigning champion Max Verstappen and win the F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025...

India vs Australia: Preview, expected lineups, how to watch on TV and prediction for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India vs Australia: The State of Play India will be targeting a third consecutive appearance in the final when they face Australia in the first...

New Zealand vs India: Preview, expected lineups, how to watch on TV and prediction for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

New Zealand vs India: The State of Play Two teams in excellent form meet on Sunday when New Zealand and India collide in their final...