**Trump Engages with PGA Tour Amid LIV Golf Discussions**
Recently, former President Donald Trump met with PGA Tour representatives to facilitate ongoing discussions with LIV Golf, indicating a preference for the PGA side. In June 2023, the competing tours revealed they were in talks to potentially merge, but negotiations stalled, prompting the PGA to seek Trump’s assistance.
Golf icon Rory McIlroy shared that he played a round with Trump “a few weeks ago,” during which they had a “really good” conversation. McIlroy disclosed, “I learned that he’s not a fan of the LIV format. I think he’s… he’s on the [PGA] Tour’s side.”
Since LIV Golf’s inception in 2022, Trump has hosted tournaments at his courses, while the last PGA event at a Trump property occurred in 2016. This marks a shift for McIlroy, who previously stated in 2020 that he would not play golf with Trump again due to concerns about the president’s leadership during the early pandemic.
PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan recently stated that the tour “asked” Trump to engage in negotiations for the benefit of the game and all involved countries. PGA Tour Player Advisory Board member Adam Scott attended the meeting and noted that Trump’s passion for golf could be advantageous in reaching a resolution. “It’s a positive thing that the President of the United States is such a lover of the game of golf and understands some of the challenges facing the professional game at the moment,” Scott remarked.
Scott emphasized Trump’s deep connection to golf, mentioning his ownership of several prestigious golf properties and his relationship with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. He expressed hope that Trump’s involvement could help navigate the complexities surrounding the PGA and LIV discussions.
In November, McIlroy suggested that Trump’s potential return to the presidency could help “clear the way” for a deal between the PGA and LIV. Recently, McIlroy participated in a 2-on-2 exhibition, teaming up with Scottie Scheffler against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
