When it comes to the sports-related ramifications of Donald Trump’s election, perhaps no sport will feel the effects more than the world of golf.
While the framework for a PGA-LIV merger was first reached in June 2023, an agreement between the two entities has yet to be finalized. In September, Rory McIlroy — who serves on the PGA’s transaction committee — pointed to the Department of Justice’s wariness of Saudi Arabia’s investment in the sport as one of the biggest hurdles standing in the way of such a deal.
Considering Trump’s relationship with both Saudi Arabia and the sport itself, his election possesses the potential to change that. And while McIlroy denied a British tabloid’s recent report that such a deal has already been reached, he did admit that another Trump presidency could expedite the process.
“Given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think that clears the way a little bit,” McIlroy said, per The Independent. “So we’ll see.”
As for Donald Trump’s recent claim that he could secure such a deal in “15 minutes,” McIlroy didn’t object.
“He might be able to,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “He’s got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him. We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too.
“I think from the outside looking in, it’s probably a little less complicated than it actually is. But obviously Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?
McIlroy, however, added: “But I think as the President of the United States again, he’s probably got bigger things to focus on than golf.”
With many of LIV Golf’s events having been played on Trump-owned courses, his ties to such a merger are obvious. And while McIlroy might be right that it won’t be his top priority, it does appear to be a matter of not “if” but “when” such a deal will be finalized during Donald Trump’s second term.
