The camaraderie between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods was evident at last year’s PGA Championship, as they were spotted having a friendly chat in the car park of Valhalla Golf Club.
McIlroy, who achieved the career Grand Slam by clinching the Masters last month, is back at the PGA this week hoping to bag his sixth major following his triumph at Augusta. Woods, on the other hand, is absent from the field, his season effectively over due to an Achilles injury sustained in March.
A year prior, both vied for the Wanamaker Trophy in Kentucky, but their friendship had been under scrutiny amidst the ongoing dispute between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
Both McIlroy and Woods had been vocal critics of the LIV setup. However, the former has started to soften his stance over the past year.
The Northern Irishman had been pushing for reunification in the sport, but a Golf Digest report suggested that Woods did not concur.
This followed McIlroy’s unsuccessful application to the PGA Tour Policy Board ahead of last year’s PGA Championship, a decision reportedly supported by Woods. Despite this, it was apparent there was no animosity between the two friends and TGL business partners, as they were seen sharing a laugh and conversation on the course grounds.
Woods, speaking at Valhalla, addressed his differing views with McIlroy, stating: “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.
“How we get there, that’s to be determined. “But the fact that we’re in this together and in this fight together to make golf better is what it’s all about. “”.
Previously, McIlroy had downplayed any tension between them at the Wells Fargo Championship, saying: “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. 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.”
Despite the passage of time, the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) remain at an impasse.
Rory McIlroy has revealed that he is feeling more focused after removing himself from the off-course politics in golf. He stated at the Truist Championship: “I think so,” when quizzed on if his mind was clearer.
“Certainly not involved too much in the politics of everything. “You know, being on the board of this Tour and just talking about changes to the Tour Championship and all that, like I have no idea what’s going on. I think at this point, I don’t care.
“I want to play golf, and the reason I got into this game was to shoot scores and try to play the best golf possible, and not really be concerned about how the Tour is run or the business of the Tour.
“It was good to do it. It was a great experience. But I’m happy with where I’m at right now.”
