LIV Golf chief appears to break golden rule during round with PGA Tour rival

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland interacts with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (Image: Getty Images)

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, LIV Golf boss, may have flouted the official dress code at Carnoustie during his meeting with PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan at the inaugural round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Despite some of the sport's biggest names competing in the DP World Tour this week, attention has been drawn to two amateur competitors in the Pro-Am event.

Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), is playing alongside PGA Tour commissioner Monahan, the two men central to a possible merger. The golfing world has been divided since the creation of LIV, after the PGA Tour decided to ban any players who switched to the breakaway league.

However, following a surprise framework agreement announcement last June, both sides have been striving towards a resolution, although a final deal is yet to be reached. For now, Al-Rumayyan's focus is on the golf course rather than off it.

Despite previous hostilities, the pair appeared cheerful during their first round. Al-Rumayyan, also the chairman of Premier League club Newcastle, chose to represent the Magpies during his opening round at Carnoustie.

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However, his attire seems to breach Carnoustie's dress code, which prohibits the wearing of football tops on site. The dress code states: "Golf shirts must be either collared shirts or otherwise recognised golfing attire. T-shirts, football shirts and any shirts carrying slogans, numbers or non-golfing related illustrations, are not permitted."

While one could argue that the Saudi boss' Newcastle gear is more of a quarter-zip top than a jersey, it still appears to violate the rule, particularly with the inclusion of the club badge, which would likely fall under 'non-golfing related illustrations'.

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Regardless of whether it breaks the rules or not, Al-Rumayyan's first round alongside Monahan and their professional partners, Dean Burmester and Billy Horschel respectively, began with a warm embrace, showing no signs of hostility on the first tee. The two sides have yet to reach an official agreement that benefits both parties in golf's recent civil war.

Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA Tour and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (Image: Getty Images)

Last month, representatives from PGA Tour Enterprises and PIF met in New York to expedite discussions. DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings was also present and recently gave an update.

He told Sky Sports at the BMW PGA Championship: "I'm very hopeful. I think it's a wonderful opportunity for the game to come together and become more harmonious and global.

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"There's an ongoing process within the US between the PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund, but in the room those discussions are ourselves, DP World Tour and the Strategic Sports Group.

"I think everyone has the right attitude going into that and doing the right thing for the game and taking it forward. I see it as an opportunity and, hopefully, it will be what's good for players, fans and everyone else."

LIV Golf chief appears to break golden rule during round with PGA Tour rival

LIV Golf chief appears to break golden rule during round with PGA Tour rival

LIV Golf chief appears to break golden rule during round with PGA Tour rival

LIV Golf chief appears to break golden rule during round with PGA Tour rival

LIV Golf chief appears to break golden rule during round with PGA Tour rival