Golf celebrity Rory McIlroy has been linked with a bombshell $850m USD ($A1.32bn) deal to hitch LIV Golf in what can be one of the beautiful defections to the rival tour.
LIV figurehead Greg Norman was in attendance – as a patron – on the Masters on the weekend, sparking rumours that he was looking for to poach gamers for the Saudi-backed tour.
Norman was seen following McIlroy’s enjoying group across the Augusta Nationwide course within the first spherical – although McIlroy claimed he had not seen him.
However the rumours have gone to a brand new stage with a number of experiences that the four-time main winner is contemplating a possible transfer to hitch LIV.
McIlroy has been one of many fiercest critics of the challenger tour, firmly backing the PGA Tour and hitting out at defectors. However his stance has noticeably softened in latest months amid ongoing negotiations between the 2 organisations over a deal to reunite {the golfing} world, one thing that McIlroy acknowledged left him feeling like a “sacrificial lamb”.
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He stated in January: “I believe what LIV has achieved, it’s uncovered the issues within the system of what golf has … we’re all speculated to be impartial contractors and we will decide and select what tournaments we need to play.
“However I believe what LIV and the Saudis have uncovered is that you simply’re asking for thousands and thousands of {dollars} to sponsor these occasions, and also you’re not capable of assure to the sponsors that the gamers are going to indicate up.
“I can’t imagine the PGA Tour has achieved so nicely for therefore lengthy,” McIlroy stated.
Now, nonetheless, McIlroy may very well be set to tug a drastic backflip and comply with the likes of 2023 Masters winner and McIlroy’s former Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm to the Saudi competitors.
Given McIlroy’s star energy and his staunch opposition to LIV prior to now, his signing can be the largest in LIV historical past.
English outlet Metropolis. A.M. claimed the deal can be value $850m USD ($A1.32bn) in addition to McIlroy receiving an approximate two per cent stake in LIV.
The location wrote: “Two separate sources have advised Metropolis A.M. that they imagine a deal is shut.”
Neither McIlroy nor LIV Golf have launched statements on the matter regardless of media requests.
McIlroy is scheduled to compete on the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage event this weekend, whereas the LIV Tour is halfway by way of the present season – making becoming a member of a staff doubtlessly difficult.
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