Rory McIlroy hopes match with DeChambeau and Koepka ‘sign of things to come’

Rory McIlroy hopes his made-for-TV match against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka will prove a “sign of things to come” as talks to end golf’s civil war continue.

The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – which bankrolls LIV Golf – have been attempting to negotiate a deal since announcing a shock “framework agreement” in June last year.

Progress has been slow but talks resumed in New York on Tuesday and were scheduled to last for several days, timing which has drawn criticism from the “9/11 Justice” group.

The group of 9/11 survivors, first responders and family members of those killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 have accused the Saudi Arabian government of “playing a role in the horrific attacks”.

“As has been confirmed in the last few weeks by CBS reporting, the Saudi Arabian government played a role in the horrific attacks of 9/11,” 9/11 Justice president Brett Eagleson said in a statement to ESPN.

“It is disgusting, unacceptable, and incredibly painful that the (PGA) Tour and (Tiger) Woods would do this, especially now.”

Speaking ahead the Amgen Irish Open, McIlroy said: “It’s certainly peculiar timing. I don’t know much about the talks that are going on, it’s not something I’m a part of.

“I think we’re all trying to look for a solution to all this and try to move forward so we’ll see.”

Asked if partnering world number one Scottie Scheffler against Koepka and DeChambeau was meant to send a message to those negotiating a deal, McIlroy said: “I wouldn’t say it’s meant to send a message, I think it’s more that we wanted to do something that I guess all fans could get excited about.

“It’s a way to show golf fans and the world this is what could happen, or these are the possibilities going forward.

“I’ve been saying this for a long time, I think golf and golf fans deserve to see us together more than just four times a year.  That’s what we’ve tried to do.

“It’s in the middle of December, there’s not a lot going on in the game of golf so to try and get people excited about something before the golf season starts again, I think we all thought it was a good idea and something that hopefully is a sign of things to come in the future.”

McIlroy was speaking ahead of the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down, where he will attempt to win the title for a second time.

The world number three was acting as tournament host for the first time when it was last staged here in 2015, but missed the cut following rounds of 80 and 71.

“It’s good to be home, it’s been a while since I’ve been back,” McIlroy said.

“Playing the Irish Open on arguably one of, if not the, best golf course in the world in my eyes is a real treat. We don’t get to play this calibre of course very often on Tour so to be able to play here is amazing.

“I played a Walker Cup here and have wonderful memories from that week, played half an Irish Open here nine years ago and have played a little bit here and there since, but still have to refamiliarise myself a little bit.”

McIlroy will draw massive crowds as he partners fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin and defending champion Vincent Norrman in the first two rounds, but is well aware his record on home soil leaves plenty to be desired.

“It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. I get the buzz but I also feel the added pressure of trying to perform at home,” the four-time major winner said.

“It’s something I’ve honestly struggled with in the past. The couple of Irish Opens that I’ve played in Northern Ireland, the one Open Championship I played in Northern Ireland (in 2019), hasn’t went so well.

“I usually just try to relax and go about my business as I would at any other time of the year. It’s great to play in front of them but I have to manage my own little world around me to try to get the best out of myself as well.”