Rory McIlroy Withdraws from PGA Tour Players Board amid Resistance

Rory McIlroy has reversed his decision to rejoin the PGA Tour Players Board due to concerns raised by some board members about his previous resignation and public comments critical of the Tour.

Rory McIlroy has announced that he will not be returning to the PGA Tour Players Board, a surprise reversal from his initial decision to rejoin the governing body earlier this year. The Northern Irishman's decision was reportedly met with resistance from certain board members who were uncomfortable with his return following his controversial resignation and criticism of the PGA Tour.

McIlroy initially stepped down from the Players Board in February 2023, citing personal and professional commitments. However, it was widely reported last month that he would be making a comeback as a player director, replacing Webb Simpson. Simpson had submitted a letter of resignation, specifically requesting that McIlroy take his place.

However, speaking ahead of the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy revealed that his reinstatement to the board had fallen through. "I think with the way it happened, I think it opened up some old wounds and scar tissue from things that have happened before," he said, according to ESPN. "I think there was a subset of people on the board that were maybe uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason."

McIlroy's return to the board was seen as a potential bridge between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which has lured away several top players with its lucrative financial incentives. McIlroy has been an outspoken critic of LIV Golf and its funding by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

In June 2023, the PGA Tour announced plans to broker a new partnership with the DP World Tour and PIF. However, the deal has been delayed as the parties continue to negotiate details. The PGA Tour has since taken on the Strategic Sports Group as a minority investor in a separate deal.

McIlroy expressed his willingness to help facilitate the PGA Tour's negotiations with LIV Golf, but acknowledged that his reinstatement to the Players Board had proven to be a complex process. "I put my hand up to help, and it was, I wouldn’t say it was rejected, (but) it was a complicated process to get through to put me back on there," McIlroy added. "So that’s all fine, no hard feelings, and we’ll all move on."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.