“Blissfully unaware!” That is how much Rory McIlroy knows about the ongoing talks between the PGA Tour and the PIF. Fast forward to the TOUR Championship, and he exclaimed how “frustrating” it must be for the fans not to see progress in the $3 billion negotiations. Now, will the predicament that the golfer has found the sport to be in have an answer? Well, one can only hope as the new televised battle between him, Scottie Scheffler, and two other LIV golfers enters the scene!

Although McIlroy was initially a critic of the Saudi-backed league, his U-turn following fellow Ryder Cup teammate, Jon Rahm’s defection did turn many heads. Weeks later, he also went ahead to join a 7-person committee alongside Tiger Woods in a bid to push through with the merger talks. However, the whole ‘Framework agreement’ now seems to be in a quandary of sorts with no visible progress in sight!

Then came the announcement of the televised battle between the 35-year-old and Scheffler against Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau in Las Vegas. Surprisingly enough, his acceptance to appear for the ‘made-for-TV’ event, as per Sports Illustrated, might indubitably act as McIlroy’s signal to unite the two Tours as well.

“If it doesn’t happen soon, then honestly,” said McIlroy during the FedEx Cup finale, “I think PIF and the Saudis are going to have to look at alternative options, right?” The 4-time major champ then added how his words would probably be the future of golf if something doesn’t get done urgently. And the upcoming showdown, which is set to air on TNT in the middle of December, might also prove to be a trial to show how both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf can coexist without tension!

Although the announced televised event does hint at McIlroy’s desperation in a way, it also, unfortunately, suggests a future where the merger is indefinitely delayed. “We’re leaning towards making it more like a Ryder Cup,” said Bryan Zuriff, the producer of the said event, “To develop it into a series that’s completely separate from The Match.” The idea of there being a LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour contest sure does paint a bleak picture for the merger. However, it also signals a hopeful future for the two circuits to coexist!

The future of the PGA Tour-PIF merger that Rory McIlroy is worried about

The 35-year-old Rory McIlroy, a member of the transactional subcommittee replied at the Paris Olympics, “I have no idea what’s going on. I’m blissfully unaware.” Jay Monahan, on the other hand, said, “We’re in regular dialogue. We have the right people at the table with the right mindset… That creates optimism about the future and our ability to come together.” But he also made sure to point out how the merger will not happen anytime soon.

“These conversations are complex,” added the official. “They’re going to take time. They have taken time, and they will continue to take time.” He then concluded his reply by pointing out how he would not divulge the specifics but assured the community about the smoothness of the ongoing conversations. Couple that with Rory McIlroy’s remarks and confessions about not knowing about the same, and it truly signals a not-so-hopeful future!