Rory McIlroy responds to Tiger Woods rift reports

After powering into contention at the Wells Fargo Championship, Rory McIlroy dismissed reports of a rift in his friendship with Tiger Woods.

Speculation was mounting that the pair’s relationship had “soured” in recent months, culminating in Woods reportedly voting against McIlroy rejoining the PGA Tour board.

However, fresh from carding a four-under 67 to sit tied for second after the opening round at Quail Hollow, the Irishman was quick to deny those claims.

• McEwan: Rejecting Rory is yet another PGA Tour misstep

• Why Rory McIlroy was denied return to PGA Tour board

“I think friends can have disagreements, or not see eye to eye on things,” said McIlroy. “I think that’s fine. But no, I wouldn’t say — we had a really good talk last Friday for 45 minutes just about a lot of different things.

“There’s no strain there. I think we might see the future of golf a little bit differently, but I don’t think that should place any strain on a relationship or on a friendship.”

McIlroy also revealed that he WILL play a part in the tour’s negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia moving forward as part of a Transaction Committee.

• Tournament boss calls for McIlroy to prevent player “ruining” PGA Tour

• US Open chief hints at future exemptions for LIV Golf stars

The four-time major champion will part of a delegation that also includes PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan; Joe Gordon, the chair of PGA Tour Enterprises; John Henry of Fenway Sports; as well as Tiger Woods, Joe Ogilvie and Adam Scott.

“I’ve already had calls with that group,” he confirmed. “I had a really good hour and a half Zoom with those guys on Sunday.

“We went through a 150-page doc about the future product model and everything.

“I’m not on the board, but I’m in some way involved in that transaction committee. I don’t have a vote so I don’t have I guess a meaningful say in what happens in the future, but I feel like I can be helpful on that committee, and that was sort of a compromise for I guess not getting a board seat.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor