Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy agree after LIV Golf talks ahead of US Open

Tiger Woods has joined Rory McIlroy in lauding the initial stage of talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf over their proposed merger. The pair were among those who met PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in New York City, following the announcement in July 2023 that the two organisations were set to work together on a compromise.

McIlroy, previously a vociferous critic of the Saudi-backed venture, labelled the meeting ‘good’ and ‘productive’. 

"Yeah, it was really good,” he said. “Definitely things are heading in the right direction. A lot of progress was made. I can't really say much more than that, but it was really positive."

And ahead of the US Open at Pinehurst this week, 15-time major winner Woods has echoed similar sentiments. Having previously joined the Northern Irishman in rallying PGA players against joining LIV, he seemingly confirmed both parties had made progress.

“I think that both sides walked away from the meeting, we all felt very positive in that meeting,” he said in his pre-tournament press conference. “As I said, both sides were looking at different ways to get to the end game.

“I think that both sides shared a deep passion for how we need to get there. And yes, there are going to be differences of opinion, but we all want the same thing.”

Woods will be partnered with 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick and American Will Zalatoris for the first 36 holes in North Carolina. It follows him failing to make the cut at the US PGA and fading badly in the final two rounds of the Masters.

McIlroy, meanwhile, has seemingly been placed in a trio designed to showcase the best of the PGA Tour. He’ll join Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, meaning the top three players in the world rankings will be alongside each other.

Relations have undoubtedly thawed between the two tours ever since the divisive launch of LIV Golf in June 2022. Indeed, the US PGA in Valhalla in May signified the first major championship where ‘rebel’ players who had not qualified automatically were offered invites based on form.

Greg Norman and co struck a seismic blow to the status quo last year when they sealed the signing of Jon Rahm in a £450million deal. The two-time major winner had previously claimed he had no interest in jumping ship, claiming ‘legacy’ on the PGA Tour mattered to him more. 

McIlroy himself was later linked to an extraordinary defection. However, he swiftly dismissed the speculation, claiming he had 'no idea' where the reports had come from.