Rory McIlroy is optimistic about the potential for positive change resulting from ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and the backers of LIV Golf, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
Despite over 16 months on from the initial announcement of a framework agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF, an official deal has yet to be signed off. However, progress seems to be on the horizon, as evidenced at last week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The event drew significant attention due to two key figures in the negotiations: PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Not only were the rival chiefs included on the entry list, but they also played together in last Thursday's opening round at Carnoustie.
The professional side of the draw was headlined by McIlroy, who was joined by several big names from both sides of the game's recent fallout.
In total, 14 LIV stars participated, including two of McIlroy's Ryder Cup teammates, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, the latter being crowned champion for the third time last Sunday.
Other notable players such as Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed were able to compete thanks to sponsor invites, allowing the tournament to assemble a strong field on par with any on the DP World Tour.
McIlroy has expressed his satisfaction at seeing players from the two tours unite for the good of the sport, hinting at a brighter future for golf once a deal is officially struck. When asked whether fans can expect to see similar fields going forward on the back of a finalised agreement, McIlroy responded "exactly", as quoted by The Scotsman.
The Northern Irish golfer recently completed a trio of events on the DP World Tour, following the conclusion of his PGA Tour season in September. Despite his primary commitments being in the United States, McIlroy holds European tournaments in high regard for their unique charm.
"I've loved them, absolutely loved them," McIlroy remarked about his recent starts. "I did an interview last week and I said that one thing that I love when I come back here is the tournaments just feel a little more authentic and pure and not as corporate and I really like that.
"In a way, it brings me back to the amateur days, when you are not playing for anything more than pride or vouchers in the pro shop or whatever. I think as well the crowds at the Irish Open and Wentworth [BMW PGA Championship], even here as well, honestly compared to the three FedEx Cup Play-Offs events, they were bigger and the atmosphere was better."
