Rory McIlroy’s plea for players to be rewarded for not defecting from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf seems poised to become a reality, following what appears to be a landmark agreement between the two parties.

The PGA Tour, which has been in conflict with LIV since its inception in June 2022, announced it was in talks with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) to resolve their disagreement. According to The Sun, nearly a year-and-a-half later, an official agreement has been reached.

The report on Saturday declared that the golfing feud had ended, with PGA Tour executives and PIF leaders agreeing on a $1.2 billion deal that would bring the LIV operation under the Tour ‘umbrella’.

The agreement also reportedly includes financial rewards for players who chose not to chase the LIV wealth and remained with the Tour as part of the Saudi investment. Earlier this year, PGA Tour officials established a loyalty scheme to reward those who stayed, and it is anticipated that PIF will contribute to this fund as part of the deal.

This proposed plan will be music to the ears of PGA Tour loyalist McIlroy, who made a similar statement after the two sides first unveiled their framework agreement in the summer of 2023. “There has to be something for those guys,” he told Sky Sports at the time.

“Yeah, I think so. Ultimately I think that’s what we’re talking about,” he later added when asked if this ‘something’ should be financial, according to The Telegraph. McIlroy was one of the main beneficiaries of the initial loyalty payout from the Tour, alongside his TGL business partner Tiger Woods.

Rory McIlroy

ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 04: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland smiles on the 18th green during day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 at Kingsbarns Golf Links on October 04, 2024 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images) ( 

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Luke Walker/Getty Images)

Previously a critic of LIV, McIlroy has since warmed up to the idea of the two circuits reconciling their differences to unify the sport. In fact, the Northern Irishman played alongside LIV chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan at last month’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, who also partnered with PGA Tour commissioner – and fellow negotiator – Jay Monahan that week.

“I think it’s a great thing and good sign that Jay and Yasir are going to play together,” the four-time major winner commented in Scotland. “And obviously you’ve got quite a big contingent over from LIV that are playing in this event. I think what Johann Rupert (who owns Dunhill) the man who runs this event is trying to do is just bring the golf world back together a little bit.”

“If we need to be forced together in some way, he’s trying to do that. I think it will be good. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.” McIlroy also disclosed that week that he anticipated a peace deal to be finalized by the end of the year. “In the business world, deals of this size take time.”

Speaking of the complexities in the financial shifts within golf, the pro shared his insight: “You are talking about billions of dollars changing hands, different jurisdictions. I think we’ll know a lot more by year’s end. We’re in October so hopefully three months to get something done.” Meanwhile, McIlroy gears up for a return this week at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, where he’ll swing back into DP World Tour action.