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McIlroy stepped back from the policy board in
November following the dramatic tussle between the PGA Tour and
the Saudi Arabia-financed LIV Golf and the organizations'
subsequent "framework agreement" for a merger.
According to the Guardian, however, Webb Simpson has submitted
his resignation from the policy board with an "explicit request"
that McIlroy take his seat.
McIlroy would need to be approved by a vote on Wednesday, per
the report. With peers like Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and
Patrick Cantlay holding votes, it's unlikely McIlroy's return
would face any resistance.
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour have not completed a final merger
agreement with LIV's financiers, the Saudi Public Investment
Fund (PIF), in the months since a self-imposed Dec. 31 deadline
came and went. In the meantime, LIV poached its highest-profile
golfer to date in two-time major winner Jon Rahm. The Spaniard
was ranked among the top three in the world when he signed with
LIV Golf in December.
The PGA Tour entered a separate partnership with Strategic
Sports Group (SSG), a consortium of U.S.-based sports team
owners.
Adding McIlroy as a player director could fuel hope that a deal
with the PIF can move forward, the Guardian reported. McIlroy,
once a sharp critic of LIV Golf, has since come to the position
that men's golf needs reuniting, with LIV players allowed back
on the tour without penalty.
The 34-year-old also denied a rumor last week that he was
offered $850 million to jump to LIV.
--Field Level Media
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