WASHINGTON – Saying that the process became “pretty complicated and pretty messy”, Rory McIlroy revealed on May 8 that he will not be rejoining the PGA Tour policy board after all.
It was initially reported in April that Webb Simpson had submitted his resignation as a player director with an “explicit request” that McIlroy fills his seat.
McIlroy himself had stepped away from the board last November but showed a desire to return.
His return, however, was subject to a vote. It was unclear whether that vote was actually held, but the Northern Irishman admitted he was met with resistance by some on the board.
“It got pretty complicated and pretty messy, I think it opened up some old wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before,” the 35-year-old said ahead of this week’s Wells Fargo Championship.
The tensions come at a pivotal time in the tour’s history as it continues to negotiate with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) amid a civil war with LIV Golf.
“I think there was – there was a subset of people on the board that were maybe uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason,” McIlroy added.
“I think the best course of action is... if you know there’s some people on there that aren’t comfortable with me coming back on, then I think Webb just stays on and sees out his term.
“So yeah, I put my hand up to help and it was – I wouldn’t say it was rejected, it was a complicated process to get through to put me back on there.
“So that’s all fine, no hard feelings and we’ll all move on.”
Simpson, the 2012 US Open winner, confirmed later that he will see out the rest of his three-year term but he did not see pushback to McIlroy’s involvement in the way the four-time Major winner described.
“I think the sentiment was Rory McIlroy, being the global superstar that he is and the strong voice that he has in the game of golf, you know, it would be great to get him involved more,” the 38-year-old American said.
“So, you know, what capacity is he going to get involved more? I think three weeks ago we just wanted him more involved, and I think I’ve seen support from the guys on wanting him more involved and helping.”
The board includes Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay and Peter Malnati. Cantlay and Spieth have had past disputes with McIlroy over golf’s direction.
McIlroy said in April the lack of progress in a deal with the PIF had motivated him to jump back in the fray. He said on May 8 that he remains optimistic for a deal.
But a report by Golfweek a day earlier painted Cantlay at odds with McIlroy. An unnamed tournament director told Golfweek that Cantlay is against striking a deal with the PIF while McIlroy is all for reunification.
“We need Rory back on the board. Had he stayed on he could’ve neutered Cantlay. He’s the only one with the power to neuter Cantlay. We need Rory to try to keep Cantlay from ruining the tour,” the tournament director said. REUTERS, AFP
