Rory McIlroy gives a worrying update on the PGA Tour-PIF deal at Olympics, goes back to original stance

Olympics: Golf-Mens Stroke Play Round 1 – Source: Imagn
Rory McIlroy (Image via Imagn)
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Rory McIlroy shared a worrying update on the PGA Tour-PIF deal at the Olympics, stating that he had no idea about the progress.

This has come as a surprise since he was part of the subtransaction committee formed by the Tour to do further negotiations with the Saudi Fund.

On Saturday, August 3, McIlroy carded 5-under-66 in the third round of the 2024 Olympics golf men’s event. He moved to T6 after aggregating at 10-under with just 18 holes to go.

During the post-round interview on Saturday, McIlroy was asked a question regarding the PGA Tour’s subtransaction committee. However, his response sent a puzzling signal to the golf fraternity.

“I have no idea what’s going on. I’m bliss fly unaware,” he replied.
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Earlier this year, the Northern Irishman was included in the PGA Tour subtransaction committee alongside Tiger Woods and Adam Scott. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, former professional and current liaison Joe Ogilvie, Valero CEO Joe Gorder, and Fenway Sports Group’s John Henry were the other members of the committee.

Notably, McIlroy was the face of the Tour’s fight against the PIF for over a year. However, both rival groups decided to join forces last year, shocking most of the professionals. Following the new developments, the four-time major winner said he felt like a ‘sacrificial lamb’ for being kept in the dark about the deal.

“It’s hard for me to not sit up here and feel somewhat like a sacrificial lamb and feeling like I’ve put myself out there and this is what happens,” he said at the RBC Canadian Open last year.
A few months later, Rory McIlroy decided to resign from the PGA Tour policy board, expressing that he was not enjoying the role much. However, later, he had a change of heart and softened his opinions on LIV Golf. There were also rumors of him getting back to the policy board, but he was later included in the newly formed subtransaction committee.

When will Rory McIlroy tee off at the 2024 Olympic golf men’s event, Round 4?
Rory McIlroy is grouped with Nicolai Højgaard and Hideki Matsuyama for the final round of the 2024 Olympics men’s golf event. The trio will take off on Sunday, August 4, at 6:28 am ET.

Following the third round, Rory McIlroy is tied with Tom Kim (69), Scottie Scheffler (67), and Thomas Detry (69) at 10-under, four strokes behind the lead. Xander Schauffele (68) and Jon Rahm (66) share a joint one-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood (69).

Højgaard and Matsuyama are three strokes back and tied at 11-under. While Højgaard made a huge jump by registering a course record of 9-under 62, Matsuyama slipped to T4 after shooting 72, his worst round of the week.

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Edited by Shobhit Kukreti