Rory McIlroy makes huge Donald Trump and LIV Golf claim after US Presidential win

Rory McIlroy has suggested that Donald Trump's second term as US president could pave the way for a resolution in golf’s ongoing dispute. The four-time major champion also mentioned that Elon Musk, a Trump supporter and owner of social media platform X, could expedite the process.

Discussions between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which funds LIV Golf, have been under way since a framework agreement was signed in June 2023. McIlroy previously identified a 50-50 split between players on both sides and the US Department of Justice as the main hurdles to an agreement, with the DOJ already having enforced the removal of a non-solicitation clause from the framework agreement.

However, the incoming president can influence the DOJ's priorities and Trump has strong ties with Saudi Arabia and LIV Golf, with several of their 54-hole events being held at Trump-owned courses. Ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, McIlroy was asked in a press conference if he would be surprised if a deal had already been reached, as reported in a national newspaper over the weekend.

"Yeah, I would, but then obviously given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think that clears the way a little bit. So we’ll see," said McIlroy, who recently played in the same group as PIF governor and Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Dunhill Links Championship.

McIlroy concurred with the view that the DOJ being more amenable to a deal would represent "a huge moment" In a separate chat, touching on Trump’s assertion that he could secure a deal in 15 minutes, McIlroy told Sky Sports: "He might be able to," adding, "He’s got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him. We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too.

"I think from the outside looking in, it’s probably a little less complicated than it actually is. But obviously Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows? But I think as the President of the United States again, he’s probably got bigger things to focus on than golf."