McIlroy 'hopeful' about PGA-PIF deal amid new talks

McIlroy remains upbeat about the future of men's professional golf despite the apparent lack of progress since the PGA and DP World Tours announced they had a 'framework agreement' for a merger with PIF in June 2023

Rory McIlroy says he is "hopeful" that the fracture in men's professional golf will be resolved after news of the latest meeting between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Earlier this week, ESPN reported that a number of PGA Tour representatives, including Tiger Woods, were in New York for talks with the PIF, which funds the LIV Golf tour.

It has been 15 months since the PGA and DP World Tours announced a 'framework agreement' for a merger with PIF.

And while McIlroy, who recently voiced frustration at the lack of progress in the negotiations which began over a year ago, the world number three is hoping to hear good news from the New York meeting in the coming days.

"I think everyone in the game would love there to be one [a resolution]," McIlroy told BBC Sport NI.

"A solution is hard to get to because there are different interests and people want different things. There's going to have to be compromise on both sides but hopefully they're the things they're talking about in those meetings.

"I'm hopeful and hopefully we'll be hear some good news in the foreseeable future where things start to come back together."

McIlroy was speaking ahead of this week's Irish Open at Royal County Down, where he headlines the field in his first competitive appearance on home soil since the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush.

McIlroy missed the cut that week, as he did when the Irish Open last visited Royal County Down in 2015, and admits he has struggled with the pressure of performing in front of his home fans in the past.

"I've had to learn over the years how to manage my week when I come home," the four-time major winner told BBC Sport NI.

"I'm trying so hard to perform in front of the home fans but then if I push too hard it's detrimental to my game."

McIlroy, whose sole Irish Open triumph came at the K Club in 2016, added: "It's about managing all those emotions and getting lost in my own little world and not trying to do anything I wouldn't normally do.

"Just go out there and play the best golf that I can and not get too frustrated when things don't go my way. If I can do that then I think I'll be OK."

On what it would mean to win in Northern Ireland, he added: "It would be extra special.

"I think after the year I've had and the close calls, I've won three times and I've had to remind myself of that, but after everything that went on this summer and being so close to winning the US Open and being close at the Olympics as well, it would be a nice way to forget about those things and move on."

Big crowds braved the horrible conditions to get a glimpse of McIlroy during Wednesday's Irish Open pro-am event

'Irish Open won't be cut from my 2025 schedule'

McIlroy will play with fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin during the first two rounds at Royal County Down, which the 35-year-old says is "the number one links course in the world".

After finishing in a tie for ninth place at the Tour Championship earlier this month, McIlroy said he will aim to "cut back" his tournament schedule in the future after a congested 2024 which will see him compete in 27 events by the end of the year.

But while he is targeting a 22-tournament calendar in the future, he says he will "definitely" be back at the K Club for the Irish Open in 2025.

"For Shane [Lowry] and myself and some of the other guys that play predominantly in America, this date suits better," he said.

"We can focus on the FedEx Cup and Stateside and then turn our attention to Europe.

"These two weeks, here and Wentworth [for the BMW PGA Championship] next week, we're always looking forward to getting back. It's a long stretch in the States so to get back and play two great tournaments, a lot of guys enjoy that so I'll definitely be back."