Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy spotted in car park interaction after 'fallout' rumours
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were in discussion at the PGA Championship.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were spotted chatting together in the car park of the PGA Championship after rumours of a falling out between the two golf stars. The Northern Irishman was denied a place back on the PGA Tour Policy Board and speculation ran rife of a potential rift with the American legend of the game.
Just a couple guys having a post-round chat in the parking lot today pic.twitter.com/wElZWz4UNN
— Michael Wolf (@bamabearcat) May 15, 2024
McIlroy was eager to help broker a merger deal between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and the DP World Tour after a framework agreement was made. However, amid lengthy delays and several missed deadlines for the merger to be finalised, McIlroy was turned down as he sought to return to the role he held until November.
Golf Digest claimed that relations between McIlroy and Woods had soured, with the latter taking up a role inside negotiations and the 35-year-old denied a spot on the board once again.
Both players have played down reports of their relationship becoming frayed as a result of talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf Saudi Arabian backers Public Investment Fund, and have now been seen chatting behind the scenes in Louisville.
They appeared to be having an amicable conversation, once again quelling rumours of a soured relationship at a time when McIlroy filed for divorce from his wife Erica Stoll.
And while Woods admitted that there had been disagreements behind the scenes regarding the merger, with Jimmy Dunne quitting from his role 11 months on from being dubbed the architect of the original framework, citing a lack of progress, McIlroy and Woods’ relationship appears as strong as ever.
"Well I think that we see the - it's good to see it differently, but collectively as a whole we want to see whatever's best for all the players, the fans, and the state of golf," Woods declared when asked about his friendship with McIlroy.
His comments came after McIlroy opened up on his unsuccessful attempt to rejoin the policy board, describing the situation as “complicated” and “messy” while also addressing rumours over his strained relationship with Woods as a direct result of the inability to finalise a merger that has torn golf in two.
"I would say, I mean, I think friends can have disagreements or not see things I guess not, not see eye to eye on things but have disagreements on things,” he explained.
"I think that's fine. But no, I wouldn't say we had a really good talk last Friday for 45 minutes, just about a lot of different things. No, there's no strain there. I think we might see the future of golf a little bit differently, but I don't think that should place any strain on a relationship or on a friendship."