Rory McIlroy backs ‘world’s smartest man’ Elon Musk to fix golf

Rory McIlroy insists Donald Trump’s ally Elon Musk is the “smartest man in the world” and can help expedite a deal to end golf’s civil war.

McIlroy also described Trump’s historic re-election into the White House as a “huge moment” in the pursuit of a peace deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian backers of the breakaway LIV Golf League.

Before his imminent return to the Oval Office, Trump claimed on the ‘Let’s Go!’ podcast that he would be able to put an end to the apparent impasse with the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund within a matter of “15 minutes.”

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And McIlroy did not rule out the possibility of a swift resolution to the talks now Trump will be President.

“He might be able to,” the world No.3 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.

“Yeah, I think from the outside looking in, it’s probably a little less complicated than it actually is. Obviously Trump has great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He’s got a great relationship with golf. He’s a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?

“But I think as the President of the United States again, he’s probably got bigger things to focus on than golf.”

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McIlroy was speaking ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, just days after the latest meeting between the PGA Tour’s commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Middle East.

The Northern Irishman has previously claimed the Department of Justice’s investigation into a potential breach of anti-competition laws has been a key stumbling block in fixing the divide.

But with Trump back in power, it was suggested to McIlroy that the DOJ could be more amenable.

“It would be a huge moment,” McIlroy said. “Obviously given today’s news with what’s happened in America, I think that clears the way a little bit. So we’ll see.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.